Categorised villages, satellite alerts, penalties in Punjab's new plan against farm fires

Time of India

26-07-2025

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Patiala: Having struggled to contain stubble burning last year, Punjab govt has issued now rolled out an enhanced standard operating procedure (SOP) that will leverage satellite surveillance, stricter enforcement of penalties, and field-level accountability.
The renewed push follows high-level consultations with the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and aligns with directions from the Supreme Court. The state govt has instructed all district administrations, police departments, and agriculture officials to intensify efforts ahead of the upcoming paddy harvest season.
Stubble burning will next take place in the region from Oct to Nov, the period when farmers harvest paddy and sow wheat.
District administrations have been directed to categorise villages based on past stubble burning incidents: High-risk villages with more than 30 incidents, moderate-risk with 10–30 incidents, and low-risk with 1–10 incidents. Meetings involving deputy commissioners, chief agriculture officers, and other stakeholders have been mandated to conclude by Aug 1, with detailed documentation and strategy formulation for targeted interventions.
The Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC), in collaboration with ISRO, use satellite imagery to detect active fire locations. Upon detection, field functionaries are notified via SMS, including GPS coordinates and Google Maps links. State environment functionaries observed that many cases were being reported in the districts as 'no crop burning found'. However, as part of following a recent notification issued by Punjab secretary (science, technology and environment) Priyank Bharti, 'no crop burning found' cases must now be personally verified by senior officers such as DCs, ADCs, SDMs, or CAQM observers.
Dismissal of satellite alerts now requires geo-tagged evidence, GPS data within 350 metres, and signed verification reports. Else the case be treated as fire incident and all action as per instructions of Supreme Court/NGT/CAQM be taken, reads the notification.
The renewed crackdown comes after Punjab witnessed widespread stubble burning in 2024. During a high-level meeting on July 3, CAQM chairperson underscored the need for "zero tolerance" and called for rigorous enforcement backed by technology and community engagement.
"This is a collective effort—strict enforcement, farmer awareness, and technology will drive change,' said the special director general of police (law and order).
BOXES
FIR for not paying fine
Farmers found burning stubble will face penalties: Rs 5000 for less than 2 acres, Rs 10,000 for 2–5 acres, and Rs 30,000 for over 5 acres. Enforcement timelines stipulate detection to field verification within 48 hours, penalty issuance within seven working days, and recovery of fines within 15 days.
Repeat offenders and non-compliant individuals may face FIRs under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police authorities have been directed to maintain a separate log of such FIRs.
Follow-up on penalties
A PPCB official said govt staffers will now also have to follow up on post-penalty procedures for payment compliance, update digital records upon payment receipt, and conduct routine audits to ensure transparency and adherence.
"Officials will be trained in satellite imagery interpretation, verification protocols, and penalty imposition procedures," said the official.
WHO WILL DO WHAT
Revenue dept | To handle field verification, challan issuance, and fine recovery
Agriculture dept | Officials to manage farmer outreach and promotion of eco-friendly practices
Punjab Pollution Control Board | To oversee monitoring, reporting, and incident validation;
Punjab Remote Sensing Centre | To provide imagery analysis and technical support
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