Chandigarh, October 25: Punjab has recorded 574 stubble-burning incidents up to October 24 — more than the 561 reported during the corresponding period last year — according to CREAMS satellite-monitoring data cited by Urban Acres.

The fires are heavily concentrated in the border belt: Tarn Taran accounts for 270 incidents and Amritsar for 144 — together 414 of the 574, roughly three-quarters of the state total in just two districts.

Enforcement has expanded alongside the rise. Authorities have registered 113 FIRs under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (disobedience of an order duly promulgated by a public servant), 55 of them in Tarn Taran and 23 in Amritsar. Environmental compensation has been imposed in 226 cases totalling Rs 11.4 lakh — yaani about Rs 11 lakh — of which Rs 5.6 lakh has been recovered so far. Another 205 red entries have been made in land records.

On Saturday, a high-level team of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), led by chairperson Rajesh Verma, reviewed paddy-residue management in Amritsar and Tarn Taran, expressed concern over the rise, and directed officials to intensify efforts, news agency PTI reported. Its directions included maximising the use of stubble as fuel in thermal power plants, brick kilns and industries, appointing sector-level officers, and ensuring machinery and support reach farmers on time. PTI put the count at 542 fires between September 15 and October 23; the CREAMS-based tally reached 574 a day later. Urban Acres also reported the CREAMS live dashboard was unavailable for a second consecutive day on Saturday.

Why it matters: The season is still in its early phase and the count has already passed last year's — in a year when the government has pointed to more than 21,000 CRM machines deployed for residue management. The open question is not the number of machines but whether they reach the right village at the right time — and the CAQM's field review shows the central watchdog is now watching exactly that.

What is verified: 574 incidents up to October 24 vs 561 in the corresponding period last year; Tarn Taran 270 and Amritsar 144; 113 FIRs; compensation of Rs 11.4 lakh imposed in 226 cases with Rs 5.6 lakh recovered; 205 red entries; the CAQM team's October 24 review of Amritsar and Tarn Taran.