Central Ministers Ask Five States To End Farm Fires Immediately

Union ministers have asked five states to stop farmers from burning crop waste as farm fires rise in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan this month.

On Tuesday, 13 October 2026, the Union government held an urgent meeting in New Delhi to tackle the problem of farm fires. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav met with leaders from Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi-NCR (the National Capital Region). They asked these states to work in mission mode (working with high priority and speed) to stop farmers from burning paddy stubble (the waste left behind after harvesting rice). The meeting happened just before the peak harvest season begins. Data from 15 September to 12 October shows mixed results. In Haryana, farm fires fell by more than half. In Uttar Pradesh, they dropped by about 32 per cent. However, the situation in Madhya Pradesh is extremely concerning to the government. Cases there jumped from 55 to 277, which is a 452 per cent increase. Rajasthan also saw cases triple from 20 to 60. The ministers told these states to identify specific villages and create special plans to help farmers immediately.

Why it matters

Every year, as winter approaches, the air in North India becomes hard to breathe. This is partly because farmers burn the leftover straw from their rice crops to clear their fields quickly. Farmers are often blamed for this, but they face a very difficult choice. They have only 20 to 25 days between harvesting rice and sowing wheat. Burning the stubble is the quickest and cheapest way to get the land ready. While this helps them save time, it hurts the environment and the people. Burning strips the soil of important nutrients that crops need to grow. It also creates thick smog that covers Delhi and nearby areas, causing health problems for families. The government admits that simply telling farmers to stop is not enough. Farmers need affordable and easy alternatives to manage crop waste. Many machines that can clear the straw are too expensive for small farmers to buy. Even when the government provides machines, many older ones are not being used.

The situation today

• The central government has given states over 4,200 crore rupees since 2018 to help manage crop waste.

• For the current year, the government has already released more than 430 crore rupees to the states.

• Punjab has been asked to submit utilisation certificates (official documents that prove how earlier funds were spent).

• On Tuesday alone, Punjab recorded 51 farm fires, which is the highest number in a single day this season.

• Authorities in Punjab have filed 16 police cases and imposed environmental fines in 44 instances against those burning stubble.

• Government agencies have already bought about 20 lakh tonnes of rice from Punjab farmers through paddy procurement (the system where the state buys crops at set prices).

What's next

The next few weeks are critical for India’s air quality. Farm fires usually peak in late October and early November. The government must now ensure that the money it has released actually reaches the farmers who need it. Will the new action plans in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan work fast enough to stop the smoke? While the police are filing cases and imposing fines on farmers, many wonder if punishing them is the best solution. The real test is whether the government can provide enough machines and support so that no farmer feels forced to burn their fields. As the harvest continues, everyone will be watching to see if the air stays clear or if another winter of heavy pollution begins.