Punjab CM Criticizes BJP Over Air Quality Blame Game

Punjab's Air Quality Debate

On Tuesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing its leaders of unfairly blaming Punjab's farmers for the burning of stubble and attributing the poor air quality in Delhi to them. He questioned why, despite no stubble burning occurring in Punjab, pollution levels in the national capital remain high.

Mann pointed out that as soon as the rice harvest concludes, BJP leaders start blaming Punjab and its farmers for Delhi's deteriorating air quality. He noted that they previously asserted that stubble burning by farmers in Punjab was the primary cause of pollution in Delhi.

Currently, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in major cities of Punjab ranges from 70 to 130. In a video message, Mann stated, "At present, Delhi's AQI is between 450 and 500, and there is no smoke coming from Punjab, yet the situation in Delhi is worsening. They should at least acknowledge now that Punjab has no role in Delhi's poor air quality."

Mann's remarks coincided with Delhi's Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa apologizing for the air pollution crisis in the capital and recognizing its impact on children's health. However, Sirsa attributed the issue to policies implemented by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.