“Punjab Takes Aim at Stubble-Burners, Withholding Arms Licenses.”

With over 60 farm fires reported within a week of the start of paddy harvesting season in Punjab, the district administrations in the state have started issuing formal orders to make “red entries” in the revenue records of the farmers who set crop residue on fire. The move by the district authorities reportedly comes after a nod by the state government.

The farmers having red entries in their revenue records will not be able to apply for a new licence for any weapon or get their existing arms licences renewed.

Patiala Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-Additional District Magistrate Kanchan has ordered that anyone applying for a new arms licence or the renewal of an existing one “will get a nod” only after the land records have been verified. According to the order, those resorting to farm fires (having red entries in the revenue records) will not be able to get any new arms licence or get their existing arms licences renewed.

The state witnessed 11 farm fires on Sunday, the highest in a single day this season that started on September 15. Six of these incidents were in Amritsar, four in Gurdaspur and one in Patiala.

Meanwhile, farm unions have demanded that farmers be financially supported by the government for stubble management. “They are forced to burn stubble as the state government has failed to provide them adequate support for crop residue management. We will oppose any action against farmers in this regard, including red entries in revenue records or the registration of FIRs,” they said.