Arvind Kejriwal avoids blame game, takes responsibility for Punjab’s stubble burning

Addressing the pollution in national capital region, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) Convener Arvind Kejriwal listed out measures to mitigate the air pollution crisis in the national capital Delhi. Acknowledging the air pollution’s main reason being stubble burning in Punjab state, which has led to primary school closure in Delhi, CM Kejriwal said, “We take full responsibility for increasing farm fires in Punjab.” He added that it has been just six months that they have formed a government in Punjab, and said, “We have taken steps to control it. Stubble burning will come down by next year.”

“The Kejriwal government is not solely responsible for the worsening air quality,” he said at a press conference today with party colleague and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann by his side, reiterating that the central government has to come up with a joint action plan for tackling the air pollution.

He added, “Please don’t blame Punjab’s farmers for this. If they stop farming, how will they eat and provide for their families? It has been only six months since the AAP government has come to power in Punjab. We will take responsibility and ensure that measures are put in place to mitigate the crisis.”

Punjab state has reported an increase of over 20 per cent in stubble burning cases, while states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have reported a decline of around 30 per cent, according to the Indian Agricultural Research Institute. The Punjab government has blamed the Centre for not contributing to bringing down stubble burning through streamlined measures.

The issue of air pollution in Delhi has reached the Supreme Court with hearing scheduled for November 10 by bench headed by Chief Justice U. U. Lalit. The counsel for the matter said that AQI levels have never crossed 500 in the last few years. “Even those who are fit are suffering. The situation has worsened because of a 22 per cent rise in stubble burning in Punjab. We request the Supreme Court to hear it today or tomorrow as it involves the right to life of people at large,” the counsel added.