‘State govts must provide alternatives to farmers to stop stubble burning’
NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh state governments should provide alternate machinery and equipment to the farmers to stop them from stubble burning. The statement came in the wake of high pollution levels and hazardous air quality in the national capital following the festival of Diwali.
The Delhi Chief Minister said, "everyone can see how polluted the air is since yesterday. Delhi is choking because of the stubble burning in the neighboring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. I want to request the Bhartiya Janata Party to pressurize the Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments to provide facilities and equipment to farmers in the states to stop them from burning stubble. I also want to appeal to the Congress to provide adequate facilities to the farmers in Punjab to cease stubble burning in the state." “I have spoken to many farmers from the states of Punjab and Haryana, who say they are ready to stop burning stubble if they get alternate machinery which can benefit them in one way or the other. The incidents of stubble burning have doubled from the previous year, which is a matter of worry for everyone. For eight months from March to midOctober, the air quality in Delhi was good and moderate. But after 15 October the air quality in Delhi started deteriorating. That is due to the stubble burning. If we don't contain the causes of a disease, it is pointless to treat for mere symptoms. On behalf of the people of Delhi, I want to appeal to the central and state governments to support us in reducing pollution in the national capital,” he added.
AAP senior leader Gopal Rai said, "we are left with no options, but to protest. We are going to hold a massive protest at Haryana and Bhawan on October 31. We are forced to come on roads because Kejriwal Goverment is being defamed deliberately. Central Government has become a silent spectator. We demand that central Government should intervene in this immediately and take actions against stubble burning."