Delhi, Punjab spar over stubble burning amid pollution row

A blame game has intensified between India's national capital and Punjab state authorities regarding agricultural stubble burning, a major contributor to seasonal air pollution across North India. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa accused the Punjab government of deliberately permitting widespread stubble burning to deteriorate air quality in the capital region, escalating concerns during the critical pollution season.

The allegations have drawn sharp rebuttals from the Aam Aadmi Party, which governs Punjab, with party representatives dismissing the charges as baseless political accusations lacking factual foundation. The AAP contends that the state has undertaken substantial measures to curb stubble burning, including farmer awareness programmes and stricter enforcement mechanisms.

Stubble burning has emerged as a contentious issue in Punjab, where farmers traditionally resort to the practice to clear agricultural fields before sowing new crops. Environmental experts have identified the practice as a significant source of particulate matter pollution that substantially impacts air quality across the National Capital Region, particularly during October and November.

The dispute reflects broader coordination challenges between neighbouring state and central governments in addressing regional air pollution. Both administrations have separately initiated various mitigation strategies, including incentive schemes for farmers to adopt alternative crop residue management methods and regulatory enforcement operations.

The escalating political rhetoric underscores the urgency of formulating comprehensive, inter-state pollution control mechanisms that address agricultural practices while addressing farmers' livelihoods concerns across North India.