CAQM Chief Reviews Stubble Fires in Amritsar, Tarn Taran as Punjab's Count Passes Last Year'sਸੀਏਕਿਊਐਮ ਮੁਖੀ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ, ਤਰਨ ਤਾਰਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਰਾਲੀ ਅੱਗਾਂ ਦੀ ਸਮੀਖਿਆ; ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀ ਗਿਣਤੀ ਪਿਛਲੇ ਸਾਲ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ

A high-level team led by Rajesh Verma, chairperson of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), held review meetings with the deputy commissioners of Amritsar and Tarn Taran on Saturday, 24 October, and told officers to do everything possible to cut paddy stubble fires, according to an official statement carried by PTI and the Press Information Bureau. The two border districts are Punjab's biggest hotspots, and the panel expressed concern at the rising number of fires.

What did the CAQM team review?

The team looked at in-situ management, where residue is handled in the field, and ex-situ use, where stubble is collected and used elsewhere, along with the machinery and infrastructure in both districts. It also reviewed what the districts have done in response to the increase in fire incidents, the statement said.

How bad are Punjab's farm fires this year?

Official data cited by PTI showed 542 farm fires in Punjab between 15 September and 23 October, with Tarn Taran accounting for 257 and Amritsar 142. Together, that is about 399 cases, or more than 71 per cent of the state total, The Times of India reported. A later Times of India count put Punjab's tally at 574 till 24 October, against 561 on the same date last year, with 113 FIRs registered. The newspaper noted that the satellite dashboard used for the count had been down for two days, so the figures should be treated with care.

Harvest and penalties

PTI's data showed 34.82 per cent of Punjab's 34.506 lakh hectares of paddy had been harvested by 23 October, including 73 per cent in Tarn Taran and 83 per cent in Amritsar. Environmental compensation of more than Rs 10 lakh has been imposed in 206 cases, of which Rs 5.45 lakh has been recovered, and 91 FIRs had been registered by then, including 45 in Tarn Taran and 13 in Amritsar.

Why this matters

Verma has spent three straight days in Punjab, chairing a meeting with Punjab and Haryana officials in Chandigarh on 22 October and visiting Ropar, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar on 23 October, The Times of India reported. With most of the paddy still unharvested, farm fires are expected to continue for weeks.

Which districts have the most stubble fires in Punjab?

Tarn Taran and Amritsar, with 257 and 142 cases until 23 October, per PTI.

Who is Rajesh Verma?

He is the chairperson of CAQM, the statutory body for air quality in Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas, which includes Punjab.

How much of Punjab's paddy has been harvested?

About 34.8 per cent of 34.506 lakh hectares till 23 October, per official data cited by PTI.