Delhis Environment Minister Blames AAP for Rising Stubble Burning in Punjab
Delhis Environment Minister criticizes AAP for failing to control stubble burning in Punjab, impacting air quality in the capital.
New Delhi, October 30 (Daily Kiran) : New Delhi’s Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, has launched a fierce critique against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its leader, Arvind Kejriwal, over the alarming rise in stubble burning incidents in Punjab. He claims that Kejriwal is seeking revenge on Delhi’s residents for his electoral defeat by allowing the situation to worsen.
Citing a recent report, Sirsa revealed that there have been 1,007 incidents of stubble burning in Punjab this season, with 672 cases reported from just three districts: Tarn Taran, Amritsar, and Firozpur. He expressed concern over these figures, questioning the accountability of Punjab’s Bhagwant Mann government.
Sirsa noted that during Kejriwal’s tenure as Chief Minister, he and other AAP leaders frequently blamed Punjab’s stubble burning for Delhi’s air pollution. Now that AAP governs Punjab, effective measures to curb these incidents appear lacking. He accused the Punjab government of pressuring farmers to burn stubble, which directly impacts Delhi’s air quality.
The Environment Minister emphasized that the central government has provided extensive support for stubble management, including access to happy seeders, straw cutters, and other modern agricultural tools. These initiatives are intended to help farmers manage crop residues scientifically. Despite these efforts, the number of stubble burning cases continues to rise in Punjab.
“Arvind Kejriwal, you have been the Chief Minister of Delhi for ten years and are well aware of the air pollution issues and the challenges faced by the people of Delhi. It is unacceptable to jeopardize the health of Delhi’s residents and the interests of farmers for political reasons. The Bhagwant Mann government must recognize its responsibilities and take immediate effective steps to stop stubble burning,” Sirsa stated.
Regarding pollution control in Delhi, the minister mentioned that the government, under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, is making continuous efforts. So far this year, Delhi has experienced 219 days of clear air, with the Air Quality Index reaching as low as 60. The government’s aim is to provide citizens with a clean and healthy environment.
Sirsa also noted that pollution-related activities are being monitored through the Integrated Command and Control Center, with efforts to strengthen coordination among various departments to implement pollution control measures effectively on the ground. He stressed that a lasting solution to air pollution can only be achieved if neighboring states collaborate seriously with Delhi.
