Karnal, May 4: Karnal Deputy Commissioner Dr. Anand Kumar Sharma has ordered district officials to initiate criminal proceedings and impose heavy penalties on farmers engaging in wheat residue burning. During a high-level review meeting at the Mini Secretariat, the administration revealed a sharp increase in environmental violations, with 172 farm fires recorded by May 3 this year compared to just 45 during the same timeframe in 2025.
The directive mandates that Sub-Divisional Magistrates and agriculture officers personally inspect fire sites to distinguish between accidental sparks and intentional burning. Under the new enforcement protocols, violators will face a “red entry” on the ‘Meri Fasal Mera Byora’ portal, effectively barring them from selling their produce at Minimum Support Price for the next two seasons.
“The state government and the National Green Tribunal have already banned the burning of wheat and paddy residue under Section 19(5) of the Air Act, 1981,” Dr. Sharma affirmed.
To curb the practice, tehsildars and village-level officers have been tasked with launching massive awareness campaigns through public announcements. The Deputy Commissioner also warned that officials who fail to report or act against these incidents will themselves face punitive measures under the Air Quality Management Commission Act.
“To check the spreading of farm fire incidents, I held a meeting with the officials and asked them to remain vigilant,” the Deputy Commissioner declared.
