A wave of frustration is spreading across Punjab as farmers fight to recover from severe crop losses. The challenges facing Punjab’s paddy farmers are growing every day, with many losing income due to discolored and damaged paddy. From Amritsar to Doaba, farmers who waited months for their harvest are now disappointed. Discolored grains have made it difficult to sell their produce at the minimum support price (MSP). The government allows only 5% discoloration, but many farmers have crossed that limit. Gurjit Singh, a farmer from Kapurthala, said, “By harvest time, my crop was already discolored.” High moisture levels have made the situation even worse.

The crisis is deepening fast. The state’s food and civil supplies department expects total paddy arrivals to reach just 150 lakh tonnes, the lowest in nine years and 20% below expectations. Farmers had planted crops on 32.49 lakh hectares, but floods and heavy rains in August and September caused massive losses. Continuous bad weather delayed harvesting and raised grain moisture. Despite repeated requests, the Centre refused to relax the grain color standards. Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian called this season “a double blow” for farmers, weather damage and slow procurement.

Northern districts like Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran suffered the worst impact. Waterlogged fields destroyed large parts of their harvest. Floods damaged over 5 lakh acres of farmland, while 2.97 lakh acres saw total crop loss. Many farmers can’t sell their produce because buyers reject discolored or damp grains at mandis. Even the recovered grains are being turned away, worsening the crisis.

In Ludhiana, procurement has slowed sharply. The district received around 8 lakh tonnes of paddy this season, far less than the 16.5 lakh tonnes collected last year. On one recent day, Mandis got only 48,000 tonnes. Farmers have sold 7.6 lakh tonnes so far, and 6.8 lakh tonnes have been lifted from markets. Jaspal Singh from Rania village shared, “Due to moisture, we had to add 5 to 10 extra kilos per 37.5 kg bag.” Fortunately, as the weather improved, moisture levels dropped to 17%, giving farmers some relief.

Farmers in the Malwa region are facing similar issues. Yields of non-basmati rice have dropped between 5% and 15%. Still, grain quality has improved slightly, with acceptable moisture levels. Fazilka stands out as a bright spot, completing about 25% of its paddy harvest so far. Chief Agriculture Officer Harpreet Pal Kaur said her team is still conducting crop-cutting studies because farmers have not yet harvested nearly 75% of the fields.

In Mansa, Chief Agriculture Officer Harvinder Sidhu explained that untimely rain hit crops during the flowering stage. Early-planted fields suffered the most, while late-sown ones escaped much of the damage. Farmers like Resham Singh from Faridkot reported a 10% drop in production. In Bathinda, mandi officials said procurement is running smoothly but confirmed that overall losses remain high. Farmers and traders have already sold about 5 lakh tonnes out of the 7 lakh tonnes received.

Mandi teams in Muktsar assured farmers that procurement will continue until November 15. They expect new arrivals to end next week. In Doaba, harvesting is almost complete. Farmers report losses of 6 to 8 quintals per acre, bringing average yields down to 26 to 28 quintals, much lower than the usual 32 to 34 quintals. Manjit Singh from Nagar village said, “Untimely rain and crop disease made this the hardest season in years.”

Experts say this year’s situation reveals serious gaps in flood control and farming techniques. They urge the state to adopt flood-resistant seeds, better irrigation systems, and more crop diversification. The agriculture department is pushing for soil testing, precision farming, and training sessions to help farmers reduce losses and improve yields.

Despite setbacks, Punjab’s farmers remain resilient. They hope for fairer government policies and better weather next season. Officials believe that strong cooperation among farmers, markets, and authorities can help stabilize the situation and prevent future crises.

In the end, the challenges facing Punjab’s paddy farmers show how extreme weather and weak crop management threaten agriculture. With quick policy action, technology, and farmer unity, Punjab can recover and safeguard its farming future.

A shocking robbery at Vijay Jewellers in Jalandhar took place on a busy morning, leaving residents and shopkeepers alarmed. The jewellery shop, located in Bhargav Camp, one of Jalandhar’s busiest business areas, was targeted by two masked men. Jalandhar, known for its strong jewellery trade and booming local economy, has recently faced growing safety concerns due to increasing urban crimes.

The robbery occurred around 10:49 am. CCTV footage from the shop revealed that two robbers entered quickly and began their attack. One of them carried a sword, which he used to smash glass display counters, while the other pointed a pistol at the shop owner. Within just three minutes, they grabbed cash and ornaments from the showcases and demanded more money from the safe. Fearing for his life, the shop owner handed over all the cash he had.

According to early reports, the robbers stole about ₹2 lakh in cash, along with jewellery worth several lakhs. After looting the shop, they escaped on a motorcycle before anyone could stop them. Witnesses said the entire act was well-planned and executed in minutes, showing that the culprits were likely experienced criminals.

Soon after the robbery, Jalandhar police reached the scene and began collecting clues. They reviewed high-definition CCTV footage from both inside the shop and nearby streets. Police teams are using facial recognition software and checking routes where the suspects might have fled. Authorities believe the robbers may have studied the area before the incident.

The police have also deployed special investigation units to track down the suspects. Meanwhile, nearby shopkeepers are increasing their security by adding alarms, metal shutters, and more cameras. This quick action shows the rising awareness among business owners about the importance of strong security systems.

Over the years, Punjab has seen an increase in robbery and theft incidents, especially in commercial hubs. Many shop owners have started installing smart surveillance systems with motion sensors and remote monitoring. These tools help both prevent crime and support investigations. Experts say that better lighting and community watch programs can also help reduce such incidents.

This robbery has deeply affected local traders, who are now demanding stronger police patrolling in busy markets. Residents are being urged to stay alert, report suspicious activity, and help authorities by sharing any information that could aid the case. The police have assured the public that they will arrest the culprits soon.

As investigations move forward, people in Jalandhar are hoping for a quick resolution and stricter safety rules for business districts. The event serves as a reminder that crime prevention requires cooperation between citizens and law enforcement. Together, they can make Jalandhar a safer city for everyone.

In the end, the robbery at Vijay Jewellers in Jalandhar shows the urgent need for better vigilance, advanced security, and community unity to protect both lives and livelihoods.

Daily News

A Punjab sees rise in farm fires as nearly 800 new cases appeared in just five days, showing the pressure on farmers to prepare fields for wheat sowing. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) reported over 200 new fires this week. On Thursday alone, Sangrur had 48 incidents, taking its total to 212 cases. Tarn Taran remains at the top with 330 farm fires.

Punjab has now recorded 1,418 farm fires this season. Although the number shows a 42% drop from last year’s 10,909 cases, the situation is still worrying. Several districts in the Malwa region, Punjab’s main grain area, have already crossed last year’s early figures. Bathinda reported 77 fires compared to 48 last year, Barnala had 31 versus 20, and Muktsar saw 30 cases, higher than before.

Sangrur continues to draw concern. It had the highest number of farm fires last year with 1,725 incidents. This year, it already has 218, which is close to last year’s early total of 259. Officials said stubble burning started late because of delayed rice harvesting. The delay happened due to poor weather and slow crop growth. PPCB experts confirmed that the burning pattern is running about two weeks behind schedule.

At present, only a few districts have finished over 90% of their rice harvest. The Malwa belt, which sees the most fires, is expected to record more cases soon. Farmers are rushing to clear their fields before the November 15 deadline for wheat sowing, which helps get a better yield. Because of this hurry, many may burn leftover straw instead of using eco-friendly methods.

The PPCB has been tracking fires from September 15 to November 30 every year. Last season, it recorded over 10,900 burning cases. Officials now expect a rise in early November as harvesting speeds up. Despite campaigns, awareness drives, and penalties, the issue continues to test both farmers and authorities.

Meanwhile, farm fires are hurting air quality across Punjab. Bathinda recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 231, the worst in the state, while Jalandhar reached 201. PPCB warned that calm weather and low wind may trap smoke, making pollution worse. Such poor air can trigger coughing, eye irritation, and breathing trouble, especially for the elderly and children.

To curb this problem, officials are urging farmers to adopt cleaner alternatives. Composting crop residue can boost soil quality. Mulching helps retain moisture and reduce the need for burning. Machines like Happy Seeders and Straw Management Systems can mix straw into the soil directly. The government is offering subsidies and support programs to promote these solutions.

Experts say strong community participation and farmer training can help break the yearly fire cycle. Schools, local panchayats, and farmer groups can also spread awareness about the dangers of stubble burning.

As winter nears, health experts advise residents to monitor AQI daily, limit outdoor exercise during poor air days, and wear masks when needed. Those with breathing issues should use air purifiers at home for safety.

In the end, Punjab sees rise in farm fires even as awareness improves. With stronger action, better technology, and public cooperation, Punjab can reduce pollution, safeguard health, and secure a cleaner environment for all.

Daily News