Delhi Minister accuses Punjab of 77 per cent stubble burning
Manjinder Singh Sirsa claims Punjab government data contradicts the Chief Minister's statements regarding paddy harvesting and air quality.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Thursday alleged that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann misinformed the public regarding paddy harvesting and stubble burning. Speaking at the Integrated Command and Control Centre in Shastri Park, Sirsa claimed that 77 per cent of stubble has already been burnt, according to data from the Punjab government.
Sirsa noted that Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) rose from 60 on October 30 to 377 by November 4. He stated that when the air in the national capital was clean, stubble burning had not yet started in Punjab. He further said that reported fire incidents increased from 92 on November 2 to 484 by November 3.
According to The News Mill, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) reported 2,347 stubble burning incidents as of November 4. The board has registered 647 FIRs and imposed environmental fines totalling Rs 40.37 lakh, with Rs 23.05 lakh recovered so far.
Sirsa accused the AAP government of politicising the PPCB by appointing Reena Gupta as chairperson, alleging she lacks an environmental or administrative background. He also claimed that enforcement actions target farmers rather than officials, despite the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) notifying several Deputy Commissioners regarding the concealment of fire counts.
Separately, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear matters concerning Delhi-NCR pollution and stubble burning on Thursday, according to Telangana Today.