Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Monday said that the entire North India has been pushed into a medical emergency as stubble burning continues unchecked across the country, accusing the BJP-led Central Government of failing to take concrete action to curb it over the past 6-7 years.
Addressing the media on rising pollution levels, Atishi alleged, “The BJP-led Central Government is responsible for the increasing incidents of stubble burning, as it is their responsibility.”
“Instead of indulging in politics, they should focus on solving this issue. The Punjab Government has already proved that there is a solution to this problem,” Atishi said, highlighting that the Punjab Government has reduced incidents of stubble burning by 80%.
“Stubble burning is happening in Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The Central Government is sitting idle,” Atishi claimed.
“Entire North India has been plunged into a medical emergency as stubble burning continues unchecked across the country. Cities across North India — in UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi — are reeling under severe levels of pollution. Yet, despite the rising severity of stubble burning over the past 6-7 years, the Central Government has taken no concrete steps to curb it,” Atishi said.
“All of North India is paying the price for this, especially children and the elderly who are struggling to breathe,” she added.
Citing Central Pollution Control Board’s data from yesterday evening, Atishi said, “According to the data from cities across North India, the AQI levels are poor, very poor, severe, and severe plus.”
“If you look at the data on stubble burning and farm fires — whether it is Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, or Madhya Pradesh — you will see stubble burning happening everywhere,” Atishi said.
She further questioned the Central Government, asking what it is doing, noting that if there is one state in the country that has successfully reduced incidents of stubble burning, it is Punjab.
“In 2021, a total of 71,300 incidents of stubble burning were reported. Last year, this dropped to 36,650. This year, only 8,404 incidents have occurred in Punjab,” Atishi said, adding that in Uttar Pradesh, stubble-burning incidents have increased by 60% compared to last year. Last year, 1,533 farm fires were reported, but this year, the number has risen to 1,926.
“In Rajasthan, around 430 incidents of stubble burning occurred in 2020, but by 2024, this figure has increased to 1,926. The highest number of stubble-burning incidents in the country is taking place in Madhya Pradesh. According to the Centre’s own data, from 15th September to 17th November, 9,600 incidents of stubble burning have occurred in Madhya Pradesh,” she pointed out.
“If the Punjab Government can bring down incidents of stubble burning by 80%, why can’t the Central Government ensure the same in other states?,” Atishi questioned stating that people are facing a lot of difficulty in breathing.
