Ludhiana, Nov. 22 -- Instances of farm fires during the paddy harvest in Ludhiana district fell by a third this year. The district recorded 322 cases last year, which dropped to 213 in 2025.

Environmental compensation worth Rs.5,20,000 has been imposed in 98 farm fire cases, of which Rs.3,15,000 has already been collected from farmers.

According to the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), penalties are charged based on landholding: farmers with less than two acres pay Rs.5,000, those with two to five acres pay Rs.10,000, and farmers with over five acres pay Rs.30,000.

Around 52 FIRs have been filed under Section 223 of the BNS, which deals with disobedience of lawful orders from public servants.

Additionally, 82 'red entries' have b...