To keep farm fires in check, 28 red entries, Rs 1.25 lakh penalty imposed on 40 farmers in Punjab

Manmeet Singh/Mohit Khanna

The state government has marked red entries in the revenue record of 28 farmers found burning paddy stubble. All farmers penalised this season so far are from Amritsar district.

The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has imposed environmental compensation of Rs 1.25 lakh on 40 farmers. Of this, Rs 75,000 has been recovered from those found involved in burning crop residue.

As per the National Green Tribunal’s directions, a penalty of Rs 2,500 would be imposed per incident on landowners having ownership of up to two acres of land, Rs 5,000 for up to five acres and Rs 15,000 for more than five acres.

According to daily data released by the PPCB, the Revenue Department has marked 28 red entries in the revenue records of farmers.

Those found involved in burning straw would not be able to avail loan, mortgage or sell their land. They would also not be able to apply for a new licence for any weapon or get their existing arms licences renewed.

Since September 15, 98 farm fires have been reported in the state and the police have registered five FIRs in this regard. The majority of such cases have been registered in Amritsar, which has witnessed around 80 farm fires.

Durlabh Singh of Gill village on the Amritsar-Mehta road is among 28 farmers in whose revenue records the administration has decided to mark red entries. However, he’s unaware of any such development.

He said, “I have not been informed about it. If this is true, then let it be. I have given my land on lease for 12 years. The farmer who cultivates the land has burnt stubble. He has already paid Rs 2,500 fine.”

Harjinder Singh of Sohina Kalan, who has already paid the environmental compensation of Rs 2,500, said he wasn’t aware about the red entry in his revenue records.

The farmers added that setting paddy straw on fire saves time as window period for sowing third crop is limited. Early harvesting of paddy and farm fires are usually reported in vegetable belt of Amritsar.

However, the government has not notified any specific punitive measures that could be adopted against the farmers. Amritsar District Revenue Officer Navkeerat Singh said, “The guidelines regarding further punitive action are yet to be decided. At present, the purpose is to bring all those who are burning residue on record.”