Delhi minister accuses Punjab government of worsening pollution through farm fires
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa alleged that the AAP-led Punjab government is facilitating stubble burning and manipulating pollution data.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government of facilitating stubble burning and contributing to pollution in Delhi-NCR, according to reports by ANI and The Indian Express.
Sirsa alleged that Punjab Police personnel were present at several locations helping to set crop residue on fire. He claimed that while Delhi is working to clean its air, the Punjab government is undoing that work through farm fires, political appointments, and fake data.
The minister cited satellite monitoring data from the Government of India showing 933 farm fires were recorded in Punjab from 26 October to 1 November 2026, averaging 133 per day. He noted that on Sunday, Punjab recorded 175 farm fires, while Haryana recorded 7, and Uttar Pradesh and Delhi recorded none.
Sirsa also questioned the appointment of Reena Gupta, an AAP Delhi spokesperson and relative of Arvind Kejriwal, as Chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board. He alleged that Gupta, a non-technical person, was appointed to manage narratives and fudge data, replacing previous holders of the post such as environmental scientists and senior IAS officers.
The minister further stated that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in several Punjab locations has exceeded 1,000, including Barnala at 1,244 and Talwandi Sabo at 1,036. He warned that pollution from Punjab could drift toward Delhi due to western disturbances.
Regarding financial support, Sirsa noted the Centre released Rs 2,056.50 crore to Punjab under the Crop Residue Management scheme from 2018-19 to 2025-26. He added that Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has sought Utilisation Certificates which the Punjab Government has failed to provide.