The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has suspended 24 officials for their alleged failure to prevent and control paddy stubble burning in their respective areas. Department sources said that the officials, ranging from agricultural development officers (ADOs) to agriculture supervisors, have been placed under suspension on administrative grounds.  

This move comes ahead of the October 23 hearing in the Supreme Court and reflects the administration’s strict stance on enforcing the ban on stubble burning, an annual agricultural practice that contributes significantly to air pollution in the region.

Although the official suspension order did not mention the reason, department sources confirmed that the suspension was related to their inability to manage the stubble burning situation during the current harvesting season.

Among the suspended officials, two each are from Panipat, Jind, Hisar, and Sonepat districts, while three each are from Kaithal, Karnal, Fatehabad, and Ambala districts. Kurukshetra district recorded the highest number of suspensions, with four officials facing action.

Sources further said that as many as 24 officials have been suspended on administrative grounds. Some were absent from duty when assigned to control stubble burning, while some failed to curb it in their areas. In certain regions, the number of stubble-burning incidents was alarmingly high, prompting the authorities to take this strict step.

Stubble burning continues to be a major environmental concern, contributing to air pollution and health hazards. Despite government efforts to discourage the practice, the issue persists. As per the satellite data till October 21, the state has recorded 655 active fire locations (AFLs). Kaithal leads the tally with 127 cases, followed by Kurukshetra  (91), Ambala (74), Karnal (68), Jind (49), Sonepat (40), Fatehabad (40), Faridabad (31), Panipat (28), and Palwal (26).