The single-day spike in stubble-burning incidents has increased the state's cumulative seasonal tally to 4,459, according to The Times of India.
Punjab recorded 1,152 new instances of paddy stubble burning on Diwali, marking the largest single-day jump this season, according to The Times of India. This surge increased the state's total count from 3,307 on November 7 to 4,459 by Sunday.
Tarn Taran has reported the highest number of incidents this season with 654 cases. On Sunday, Sangrur saw the most new fires with 194, bringing its seasonal total to 488. Ferozepur recorded 157 new cases, while Bathinda added 132, Patiala 92, Barnala 91, and Ludhiana 71.
The increase comes as farmers work to clear fields before the Punjab Agricultural University's recommended wheat-sowing deadline of November 15. Data shows nearly 92 per cent of the paddy-sown area had been harvested by November 8 this year.
Enforcement agencies have registered 884 FIRs under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Additionally, 1,017 red entries have been made in land revenue records against farmers found burning stubble.
Authorities have imposed environmental compensation exceeding Rs 62 lakh in 1,228 cases, with over Rs 32 lakh recovered so far. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed officials to intensify monitoring and hold nodal officers accountable for any lapses.
