Don’t drag Khattar! Satellite map proves Punjab CM ‘failed royally’ in curbing stubble burning, while Haryana and UP performed better

As North India continues to struggle against toxic levels of pollution, the debate around the causes behind it is surely at peak. While many analysts have pointed out towards a number of causes for the same, stubble burning, mainly in the region of Punjab has certainly emerged as a major contributor to the problem.

According to reports, SAFAR has stated that the share of stubble burning from Punjab and Haryana in Delhi’s air pollution has increased to 46 per cent. While the practice of burning crop residue has seen a marginal decline in Haryana, it has peaked in Punjab with a 25% spike in stubble burning in the state. Punjab alone has reported 22,137 cases of stubble burning so far.

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Pointing towards the same, a twitter user had tweeted “This is how the last 7 days fire map looks like. And semi-literates are blaming Haryana too for stubble burning. As data shows, Punjab alone is the culprit here. Haryana ko free main blame kar do? It’s not necessary to chipkao Haryana with Punjab everywhere you know.”

India Today Journalist, Rahul Kanwal had also raised questions on Punjab Administration and CM Capt. Amarinder Singh for their passivity. He tweeted “It’s clear from these satellite maps that maximum concentration of live farm fires is in Punjab. @capt_amarinderhas failed royally in his duty to ban stubble burning. CM unwilling to enforce law against his vote bank. @mlkhattar @myogiadityanath have done a relatively better job.”

The air quality around Delhi remained under the severe category, and that too despite some parts of Delhi receiving rain on Sunday morning. As of 11 am on Sunday, the air quality index (AQI) of Delhi was 486. It was even higher in Pusa (495), ITO (494) and Mundka (493). It must be noted that though this falls in the severe category, it is in touching distance of the ‘severe plus’ category. An AQI between 401-500 is considered ‘severe’ while anything above 500 falls in the ‘severe plus’ category.

As the population suffers under a cloud of toxic, Punjab CM has certainly failed to tackle the issue which has surfaced year and year again around the Kharif harvesting period. Punjab CM Capt. Amarinder Singh, considered to be few of the popular leaders of the Congress, will certainly have to come out of the appeasement mode and take firm steps to ensure that stubble burning stops. 

Nonetheless, it is to note that the problem of stubble burning exists across north India, however with skewed politics and blame game at play states have been reluctant at synergising towards a sustainable solution. Punjab which had reported the highest number of cases of stubble burning has also been on the back foot regarding dealing with the problem.

Punjab CM Amarinder Singh has however claimed to have taken action against 3,000 farmers in the state. Singh said, “Despite the Punjab and Haryana High Court having stayed the recovery of fine from farmers penalized last year, the state government has intensified its drive against the dangerous practice of stubble burning.” He has also accused the Delhi CM of playing politics over the sensitive issue. The Punjab CM said, “Instead of addressing the problem, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is playing political games.” Singh has also requested the Centre to find a solution. Nonetheless, it remains to be seen if Punjab CM takes a firm decisive step against the practice of stubble burning or continues state’s passive policy on the issue, essentially perpetuating this toxic cycle.