India, Oct. 21 -- Punjab recorded a 75% decline in paddy stubble fire incidents as compared to last year's count during the same period.

On Monday, the state reported 45 new farm fire cases, taking the total to 353 as of October 20.

According to the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), Tarn Taran recorded the highest number of farm fires at 125 followed closely by Amritsar with 124.

This year's tally of 353 incidents is significantly lower than the figures for the corresponding period in previous years - 1,445 in 2024 and 1,618 in 2023.

Last year, Punjab reported a total of 10,909 farm fire incidents with Sangrur topping the list at 1,725 cases. 152 "red entries" had been made in land records of violators, barring them from securing...