Kejriwal lauds Haryana, blames Punjab for pollution
TOXIC AIR Says capital’s AQI worsened since October 25 due to stubble burning in Punjab
Lauding Haryana’s efforts to control stubble burning of the harvested paddy crop, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday blamed the Punjab government for worsening air quality index (AQI) of the national capital. Kejriwal told the media that the AQI of Delhi worsened from around 200 to 400 after October 25 and attributed it to stubble burning in Punjab.
CHANDIGARH: Lauding Haryana’s efforts to control stubble burning of the harvested paddy crop, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday blamed the Punjab government for worsening air quality index (AQI) of the national capital.
Kejriwal told the media that the AQI of Delhi worsened from around 200 to 400 after October 25 and attributed it to stubble burning in Punjab.
Kejriwal, also the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), rubbished the claims of Punjab government of improvement in the AQI and showed satellite images of stubble burning dotting Punjab.
“The images show stubble burning in Bathinda, Amritsar and other districts in Punjab. In Haryana, this is limited to north Haryana in the areas around Ambala district,” Kejriwal said.
“If there are farm fires in Punjab where has polluted air flown to? Does Punjab mean that vehicular pollution increased manifold and more industries came up overnight which resulted in thick haze?” he asked.
The Delhi CM added that Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar had earlier assured him during a meeting that his government was making multi-pronged efforts including distribution of stubble management equipment for the farmers this season.
‘WILL WELCOME KHATTAR AT DELHI BORDER’
During the press conference, Kejriwal said he was happy that Khattar had accepted his challenge to compare five mohalla clinics of Delhi – three of his choice and two of mine - with dispensaries of Haryana.
“I will welcome Khattar at Delhi border whenever he comes,” he said, and added that he will also visit the state on November 12 to see five dispen- saries of the state.
Urging the people of Haryana to vote for the AAP in the upcoming assembly elections, the AAP chief said if voted to power, the party will improve government schools, hospitals, power supply, infrastructure and generate employment “like it did in Delhi”.
‘KHATTAR GOVT KNOWN AS KHATARA’
Kejriwal lambasted principal opposition party, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), which he alleged was known for “goondagardi” (hooliganism) and previous Congress government, for its “large-scale corruption” in lieu of change of land use (CLU) grants.
“Now, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP government is said to be a khatara (dilapidated) government,” Kejriwal alleged.
He added, “It is shocking that all these parties sought vote in the name of caste and did nothing for the welfare of the people since formation of Haryana.”