Punjab, a key agricultural state, continues to deal with stubble burning, and Punjab’s efforts to control farm fires remain at the centre of public discussion. Farmers often burn leftover crop residue, which creates pollution. Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian said the state is working very hard to manage this issue and most areas are now free from smoke. He believes the 155 recent fires likely came from small patches of residue in difficult-to-reach fields.

Khuddian explained that the government mainly uses machines to manage stubble. Farmers now see large amounts of collected stubble in their fields. However, he also noted that farmers face economic pressure, which pushes them toward burning. He said the blame for Delhi’s pollution often falls on Punjab, yet people ignore pollution from firecrackers during Diwali.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has asked Punjab and Haryana to submit reports on the steps they are taking. This came after air quality in Delhi and the NCR worsened. A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai raised concerns about rising pollution and demanded details on prevention methods.

Data from the Punjab Pollution Control Board shows major improvement. Farm fire cases dropped by 70% in 2024. Punjab recorded 10,909 incidents, down from 36,663 in 2023 and 49,922 in 2022. However, this season still saw 4,662 fires, with 58% of them occurring in the last 12 days. On November 1, officials recorded 442 fires, but even this shows a 35% decline from last year’s numbers.

To strengthen control, the Commission for Air Quality Management directed Punjab to create a ‘Parali Protection Force.’ This force works at district and block levels to stop burning. The PPCB has deployed 10,000 personnel across 11,624 villages, including 5,000 nodal officers, 1,500 coordinators, and 1,200 field officers.

These officers guide farmers, enforce rules, and send daily updates through an ATR mobile app built by the PPCB and the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre. This app helps track every action taken against stubble burning.

Additionally, Khuddian said the agriculture department has sanctioned 21,958 CRM machines. These machines help farmers manage crop residue without burning it. Many farmers now understand that burning damages soil health by destroying micronutrients, which are essential for crop growth.

Punjab plays a crucial role in India’s food production, providing a large portion of wheat and rice. Therefore, cleaner air is necessary for the health of both people and crops. Because the state’s farming practices affect neighbouring regions, including Delhi, Punjab’s actions influence air quality across northern India.

Although Punjab has made progress, the battle against stubble burning is not over. Better machines, stronger monitoring, and more awareness can help reduce fires further. Policymakers and farmers must continue working together to protect the environment and support sustainable farming.

In conclusion, Punjab’s efforts to control farm fires show strong progress, but more cooperation, awareness, and long-term solutions are needed to fully stop stubble burning and keep the air clean.

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New Delhi, November 12, 2025: Punjab and Sind Bank strengthens digital security as it upgrades its fraud-prevention systems to protect customers in an era of fast-growing financial crimes. The bank has introduced advanced technology to detect fraud, stop suspicious activities, and improve overall digital safety for millions of users across India.

Recently, the bank launched the Enterprise Fraud Risk Management (EFRM) platform with the support of Coforge. This system monitors transactions in real time and increases security across digital banking channels. PSB now keeps a close watch on over 4 million daily transactions through UPI, mobile banking, internet banking, credit cards, e-commerce, and digital wallets.

The EFRM platform stands out because it detects and blocks high-risk transactions instantly. When the system stops a suspicious transaction, the bank quickly contacts customers through IVR, SMS, WhatsApp, or email to confirm the activity. Although security has increased, normal customer transactions continue smoothly.

Moreover, PSB has become the first bank in India to block access to digital channels based on IVR responses. This step strengthens customer protection and reduces fraud cases. The system also closes alerts automatically when customers confirm legitimate transactions, making the entire process faster and more reliable.

The bank is also adding new tools like MuleHunter. AI and advanced anti-money-laundering programs. These tools will allow the bank to track unusual behaviour, catch fraudulent accounts, and improve real-time monitoring.

Managing Director and CEO Swarup Kumar Saha said the bank places customer trust at the centre of its digital strategy. He noted that the EFRM platform increases PSB’s ability to detect and stop fraud with speed and accuracy. He also said that the bank will continue improving security for safe digital banking.

Looking ahead, PSB plans to adopt a new AI-powered Financial Crime Compliance suite. This system will use behavioural profiling, device fingerprinting, and stronger login methods such as Two-Factor and Multi-Factor Authentication. These features will help protect customers from new types of digital threats.

Jocata, the provider of the EFRM platform, is a subsidiary of Bill Desk and supports more than 50 financial institutions across India. Founded in 2010, Jocata specializes in digital lending, credit intelligence, and financial crime compliance. Its tools help banks with digital onboarding, customer due diligence, and fraud detection.

Punjab and Sind Bank, founded in 1908 in Amritsar, has a long and trusted history. Today, it operates 1,610 branches, 988 ATMs, and multiple digital units across the country. With more than 10,000 employees, the bank serves millions of customers. As of HY1 FY2025-26, it reported strong financial performance with business of ₹2,41,272 crore and a CRAR of 17.19%.

Overall, PSB’s new technology upgrades reflect its commitment to customer safety. As the digital world grows rapidly, the bank aims to offer a secure, reliable, and modern banking experience. Through these continued improvements, Punjab and Sind Bank strengthens digital security and prepares itself for future financial challenges.

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Amritsar, Punjab: Punjab and Himachal Pradesh heighten security as police and security agencies increase checks across border areas. They fear the attackers may try to move through these regions. Therefore, teams are scanning vehicles and monitoring movement in several sensitive zones.

Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, the Amritsar police commissioner, said a large security operation is in progress. He explained, “We are checking all crowded places, including bus stands, railway parking areas, hotels, and several religious sites. We are scanning every vehicle entering or leaving the city.”

In Gurdaspur district, senior superintendent of police Aditya confirmed that officers strengthened security at multiple checkpoints. These checkpoints are located at important entry routes such as Gurdaspur city and Dinanagar. In addition, 32 other nakas are active in the district to track movement.

Aditya added that teams have increased vehicle checks and are watching routes towards Pathankot and Jammu and Kashmir. Moreover, police teams are patrolling the international border along with the Border Security Force. The district also started horse-mounted patrols to improve night surveillance.

Along the Himachal Pradesh border, officers are tightening control as well. Chamba superintendent of police Vijay Kumar Saklani said, “We have sealed main entry points from Punjab, including Tunnu Hatti. Our teams are also checking outposts near the Jammu and Kashmir border, such as Sansari Nullah.” During the night, patrol units are searching for suspicious activity to ensure no intruder slips through.

In Kangra district, police are increasing night inspections on national highways and border roads. Superintendent of police Ashok Rattan stated that all police stations are staying alert. Whenever officers spot unfamiliar movement or new visitors, they verify identities immediately.

Pathankot, a highly sensitive district, connects Punjab with Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir and also with Chamba and Kangra in Himachal Pradesh. Because of this, it remains under tight security. An intelligence officer said that forces are using sniffer dogs, handheld scanners, and drones for surveillance. These tools help detect any infiltration attempts quickly.

The officer further explained that whenever a terror attack happens in the capital, the northern border belt becomes the first focus. This region has multiple exit routes, so agencies must seal every possible gap. As the Red Fort investigation continues, both states remain on maximum alert.

The borders between Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir are porous, which means people can cross easily. Therefore, strict security becomes extremely important during high-risk situations. After major terror incidents in the past, these regions have always increased border checks, showing a clear pattern of preventive action.

Police are also working closely with local communities. They are asking residents to report suspicious activities or unfamiliar people. This cooperation helps officers act faster and reduce risks. In many cases, public awareness has prevented dangerous situations.

Through these expanded efforts, authorities aim to protect both residents and travelers. They want everyone to feel safe while moving in these areas. As officers patrol roads, borders, and crowded places, they remain committed to stopping any threat linked to the Red Fort incident.

The current alert serves as a reminder that vigilance is important for peace and security. People are encouraged to stay aware, follow safety instructions, and support local police efforts.

In conclusion, with stronger checks, extra patrols, advanced surveillance, and community support, both states are prepared to handle any challenge. These continued efforts show why Punjab and Himachal Pradesh heighten security and how seriously the authorities are working to keep everyone safe.

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