Punjab cracks down on officers over stubble burning

India Nov 21, 2025

Punjab just sent show-cause notices to 1,471 officials for not stopping farm fires this season—even though cases are down by half compared to last year.
Over 9,000 staff from different departments were out in the fields trying to control the fires, but the problem hasn't gone away.

Why does it matter?

Stubble burning isn't just a local headache—it's a big reason why winter air gets so bad across northern India, including Delhi.
Even with a 93% drop in cases since 2020, Punjab still saw over 5,000 incidents this year.
The government has started legal action against 24 officers (with possible jail time and hefty fines), filed FIRs against violators, and slapped ₹1.22 crore in environmental penalties—showing they're serious about cleaner air for everyone.