Punjab has recorded 510 incidents of stubble burning up to October 22, according to a report of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) cited by news agency IANS. The figure is up from the 404 incidents reported earlier this season.

Physical inspections were carried out in 467 of the cases, and stubble burning was confirmed at 195 locations, the report said. Environmental compensation was imposed in 184 cases, totalling Rs 9.30 lakh — yaani about nine lakh thirty thousand rupees — of which Rs 4.93 lakh has been recovered so far.

Tarn Taran and Amritsar lead the tally

Tarn Taran district reported the highest number at 247 incidents, of which 229 were inspected and compensation was imposed in 97 cases. Amritsar followed with 136 incidents, 127 inspections and compensation in 51 cases. Gurdaspur recorded 32 incidents, Ferozepur 26, Kapurthala 18, and Fazilka and Jalandhar nine each, while Patiala reported five.

The agency report noted that the district-wise figures do not fully add up to the state total, and the numbers may need further verification.

Warnings to officers, four FIRs

Warning notices were issued to 227 nodal and supervisory officers, four FIRs were registered and 166 red entries were recorded, according to the report. No departmental charge sheets have been issued and no suspension orders have been passed against the officers concerned.

Farmers have long said the short window between the paddy harvest and rabi sowing leaves them little time and few affordable alternatives to burning residue. The state administration says monitoring and enforcement will continue through the peak burning season, which typically runs into November.