Not in favour of FIRs against farmers over stubble burning: Punjab CM Mann

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Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated on Saturday (September 19, 2026) that he does not 'favour' FIRs being filed against farmers for stubble burning, and emphasised that paddy growers should receive a cash incentive for not setting their crop residue on fire.

Mr. Mann made these remarks just days before the paddy harvesting season in Punjab begins.

Also Read: Stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana | Caught in the cross (farm) fire

Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is often blamed for increased air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region. Due to the short window for the Rabi crop (wheat) after the paddy harvest in October and November, many farmers burn their fields to quickly clear the crop residue.

Paddy growers have been demanding a ₹3,000 cash incentive per acre for managing paddy stubble.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the two-day Kisan Mela of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana on Friday (September 18), Mr. Mann lamented that Punjab farmers are always blamed for spreading air pollution in Delhi by burning paddy straw.

"The Centre says Punjab has contributed 180 lakh metric tonnes of paddy to the central pool. But they [Centre] do not consider how much of that stubble comes from the 180 lakh MT. They [Centre] suggest registering FIRs," Mr. Mann said.

He mentioned that he has conveyed to the Centre that farmers do not wish to burn paddy stubble, as the smoke affects them directly.

Mr. Mann reiterated that he has informed the Centre that farmers should be given financial incentives for managing their paddy stubble.

Furthermore, he mentioned that Maryam Nawaz, Chief Minister of Pakistan's Punjab, had said that she would write to him regarding smoke affecting Lahore.

"Is it only our smoke in the air? Do the emissions from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh not contribute? They are merely trying to defame Punjab," he asked, expressing displeasure with the blame directed toward Punjab for air pollution.

" Parcha purcha tan dil nahin karda yaar , ein andante te parcha kiven kar daange, par lor hi na pave us hisab naal kar liyo. [I do not feel like registering FIRs against farmers. How can FIRs be filed against them?]," he asked.

Farmer leaders in Punjab linked Mr. Mann's recent statements on stubble burning to the upcoming Assembly elections.