Punjab has recorded 404 cases of paddy stubble burning so far this harvesting season, the highest among seven states, after 36 fresh farm fires were reported on Tuesday, according to data from the Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modelling from Space (CREAMS) reported by The Times of India. Madhya Pradesh follows with 388 cases, then Rajasthan with 215, Uttar Pradesh with 187, Uttarakhand with 61, Haryana with nine and Delhi with one — a combined total of 1,265 cases across the seven states till October 20.

Within Punjab, the border districts remain the hot spots: Tarn Taran has reported the maximum 198 cases, followed by Amritsar with 117. Stubble burning has been reported from 123 districts across the country so far, including 18 in Punjab, the data said. A high-level team from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is visiting parts of Punjab and directing officials to make all-out efforts to eliminate farm-fire cases.

On enforcement, The Times of India reported that 27 FIRs have been registered under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita — 15 in Tarn Taran, three each in Amritsar and Jalandhar, two in Gurdaspur and one each in Fazilka, Ferozepur, Sangrur and Patiala. Environmental compensation of Rs 6.40 lakh (yaani about six and a half lakh rupees) has been imposed in 126 cases, of which Rs 2.60 lakh has been realised, and red entries have been made in the land records in 100 cases, while warning and show-cause notices have been issued to 152 nodal and supervisory officers.

A separate report based on Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) data, carried by Daily Kiran and Nation Press, put the enforcement figures differently — FIRs in 39 cases and environmental compensation of Rs 7.20 lakh, of which Rs 3.40 lakh was recovered, with 106 red entries. That report said field inspections were conducted at 358 sites and stubble burning was confirmed at 151 locations, and that CAQM flying squads will monitor the state till November 30. The two reports agree on the headline count of 404 cases and on Tarn Taran (198) and Amritsar (117) leading the list.

Stubble burning after the paddy harvest is a recurring contributor to deteriorating air quality across north India in the winter months, and Punjab's farm-fire count is closely watched every season by regulators in Delhi and Chandigarh.