Bhagwant Mann: Punjab recorded 83,002 farm fires in 2020, 71,304 in 2021, 49,922 in 2022 and 36,663 in 2023. The count fell to 10,909 in 2024 and 5,114 in 2025. At a September 1 meeting on paddy straw management, CM Bhagwant Mann said burning incidents fell 86% from 2023 to 2025. This season’s tally now stands at around 4,600.
Machines at the Centre of the Strategy
The state’s main tool is the Crop Residue Management (CRM) scheme, which gives farmers, FPOs and panchayats a 50-80% subsidy on machines such as super seeders, happy seeders and mulchers. Over 1.48 lakh machines have been distributed so far. For 2026-27, Punjab set aside about ₹600 crore for residue management, more than 43% of its agriculture action plan. The state won the SKOCH Silver Award 2025 in the Environment category for the effort.
Monitoring and Enforcement
Punjab deployed thousands of field functionaries and, for the first time this year, drones to monitor fires in real time. Violators face environmental compensation fines, and red entries in land records can bar them from loans and land sales. Police have also registered FIRs.
A Diwali Setback
The progress isn’t a straight line. Punjab recorded 1,152 fires on Diwali, November 8, its highest single day this season. That took the tally to 4,459, above the 3,622 recorded on the same date last year. Officials note that about 92% of paddy had been harvested by November 8 this year, against 32% at last year’s Diwali. The Commission for Air Quality Management has expressed concern about the high numbers.
What Farmers Want
Bhagwant Mann:Mann has said he doesn’t favour FIRs against farmers and has called for a ₹3,000 cash incentive for those who manage residue without burning. Farmer leaders linked his remarks to the coming assembly elections and want the existing FIRs withdrawn. Farmers also point to the short window between paddy harvest and wheat sowing.
