Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Home Minister on Friday took a swipe at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his past statements regarding the stubble burning leading to pollution in the national capital.
Following the second day in a row that Delhi’s air quality was classified as “severe,” this occurred. SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research) determined that burning stubble was responsible for 34% of Delhi’s PM 2.5 pollution. Scindia released a video of Kejriwal’s previous comments on the topic and poked fun of the Delhi chief minister, who has been outspoken against the stubble burning and has been seen in the past condemning the state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab (currently ruled by AAP) “then take action! Expert in discussions, sluggish worker.”
Kejriwal is seen declaring that the Delhi government has discovered a biochemical solution in partnership with the Pusa research centre in the city in the first of the edited video supplied by the Union Minister. “The stubble converts into manure after sprinkling the solution on it. It is a win-win situation. It is very cheap. The Delhi government has sprinkled it in all the farms of the national capital. Punjab, UP, and Haryana governments can also do it. Why aren’t they doing it?” Kejriwal said. “Just imagine if we set up factories in the entire Punjab that make coals and electricity using stubble. The farmers would not need to burn the stubble once they get it at the rate of Rs 1,000 per acre.
The factory workers will themselves come to take your stubble. You will not be charged for anything,” he said. The Delhi CM, in another clip, is heard demanding timelines from the state and the Central governments regarding stopping the stubble burning. “We want specific timelines from the Captain government, Khattar government and the Centre. Tell us when are you going to make the stubble-burning stop,” he said.
Kejriwal, in the last clip, said, “I have met many people in Punjab. There are some factories which are making coals from stubble. NTPC is ready to buy all the coal. Why does the Punjab government not promote it? Why would the farmers burn the stubble if they get money for stubble?”
On Friday morning, Delhi’s total Air Quality Index (AQI) increased to 472, indicating that the city’s air quality remained in the “severe” category. According to data released by SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research) India, Gurugram’s AQI stood at 539 and continued to be in the “severe” category, while Noida’s AQI, which is a part of the national capital region, recorded an AQI of 562, and continued to be in that category.