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Time of India
3 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Stubble burning in Punjab? Not this year, govt unveils aggressive new strategy to stop it cold
Satellite monitoring in partnership with ISRO and Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) Real-time fire alerts sent to field staff via SMS with GPS and Google Maps links High-risk: More than 30 incidents Moderate-risk: 10–30 incidents Low-risk: 1–10 incidents Satellite Alerts Must Be Verified on Ground Live Events Geo-tagged photos GPS data within 350 metres Signed verification by senior officials (DCs, ADCs, SDMs, or CAQM observers) Penalties and FIRs: Here's What Offenders Face Rs 5,000 for burning on less than 2 acres Rs 10,000 for 2–5 acres Rs 30,000 for more than 5 acres Detection to field verification: Within 48 hours Penalty issuance: Within 7 working days Fine recovery: Within 15 days Departmental Duties Clearly Defined Department Responsibility Revenue Department Field verification, issuing challans, fine recovery Agriculture Department Farmer outreach, promotion of alternatives to burning Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) Monitoring, incident reporting, legal compliance Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) Satellite data analysis and fire detection alerts Satellite image interpretation Verification protocol Digital data entry and compliance tracking CAQM Calls for Zero Tolerance (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel With the stubble burning season around the corner, the Punjab government has rolled out a stricter and tech-powered strategy to tackle the annual air pollution crisis. As reported by TOI, this year's approach combines satellite surveillance, field-level accountability, and enforcement of penalties, all aligned with directions from the Supreme Court and Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).After struggling to control farm fires last year, Punjab has enhanced its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) ahead of the upcoming October–November paddy harvest, the peak period for stubble upgrades include:Village risk profiling based on past fire data:District-level planning meetings with DCs, SDMs, and agriculture officials are mandated to conclude by August Environment Department has made it mandatory for officers to personally verify every "no crop burning found" case reported against a satellite alert. Under the new notification by Secretary Priyank Bharti, such dismissals now require:If any alert is not verified properly, it will be treated as a stubble burning incident, and strict legal action will follow under Supreme Court/NGT/CAQM deter violations, Punjab has revised the penalty structure for farmers:The process timeline is tight:Repeat offenders and those who don't pay fines will face FIRs under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police have been directed to maintain a separate FIR log for such Punjab government has streamlined responsibilities for all departments involved:A PPCB official told TOI that all enforcement staff will receive training in:During a July 3 meeting, CAQM chairperson stressed the need for 'zero tolerance' towards crop residue burning. The Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) said, 'This is a collective effort, strict enforcement, farmer awareness, and technology will drive change.'All districts must finalise localised action plans by August 1. These will include high-risk village lists, task allocation, farmer sensitisation steps, and SOP compliance from TOI


Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Categorised villages, satellite alerts, penalties in Punjab's new plan against farm fires
1 2 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 MSID:: 122920492 413 |