India, Nov. 9 -- With contribution of farm fires - burning of paddy stubble after harvest - oscillating up to 30% in Delhi's pollution on some days recently, data from Punjab shows FIRs have been ineffective. Yet, there has been a declined in farm fires so far. What explains this, when there's hardly been any action after FIRs against farmers?

Political observers cite vote-bank compulsions for lack of follow-up on FIRs, while some experts say a more nuanced approach, such as farmers getting alternative technology to deal with crop residue, works better anyway.

Legal action after FIRs has clearly been lax, data from 2022-24 shows - the period for which the current AAP government led by CM Bhagwant Mann has been in power.

Majority of the...