Around 95 Percent Decline in Stubble-Burning Cases in Punjab This Year — Aman Arora (TIN)
Sangrur: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab unit president and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora challenged the BJP on Tuesday, citing data from central research institutions, to explain how the smoke from Punjab's stubble burning could reach Delhi in just 20 minutes. He said that on November 9, the contribution of stubble smoke to Delhi's PM2.5 pollution was only 5 percent, while stubble-burning incidents in Punjab have declined by around 95 percent this year.
Arora credited this decline to the cooperation of farmers and the continuous efforts of the Bhagwant Mann government. He said that the government has provided more than 1.62 lakh machines for crop residue management. He demanded that the BJP focus on the actual sources of pollution in Delhi and issue an unconditional apology for repeatedly defaming Punjab's farmers. While detailing the state government's efforts towards stubble management, he also demanded an immediate increase in the Cash Credit Limit (CCL) approved by the Centre so that paddy procurement could continue without interruption.
Citing data from the CREAMS laboratory of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Arora said that 83,002 stubble-burning incidents were recorded in Punjab during 2020, while this number had declined to 5,114 in 2025. A total of 4,657 incidents have been recorded so far in the current season, which is around 95 percent lower than in 2020. He said, “This decline has been made possible with the complete cooperation of Punjab's farmers. The Bhagwant Singh Mann government has provided farmers with practical alternatives and necessary resources for stubble management.”
The AAP Punjab unit president said, “Instead of appreciating these efforts, the BJP is deliberately running a campaign to defame the very farmers who have played an important role in reducing stubble-burning incidents.”
Citing data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Arora said that on November 8, the day of Diwali, the contribution of stubble smoke to Delhi's PM2.5 pollution was 7.8 percent, which declined to just 5 percent on November 9. He stated that, except for two days during the season, its average contribution remained between 4 and 5 percent during the remaining period.
Arora said, “Research by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), the study by Kulkarni and his co-authors, and reports from the Decision Support System (DSS) highlight the significant contribution of local sources to Delhi's pollution. The BJP should explain why it is deliberately ignoring this scientific evidence and putting the blame for Delhi's pollution on Punjab's farmers.”
Referring to the state government's efforts to prevent stubble burning, Arora stated that since 2022, more than 1.62 lakh machines have been provided on subsidy to farmers, panchayats, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Custom Hiring Centres for crop residue management. Of these, 25,917 machines have been provided this year alone.
He said, “The Bhagwant Mann government is working towards scientifically managing approximately 1.14 crore tonnes of stubble within the fields and 78 lakh tonnes of stubble outside the fields. Along with appealing to farmers not to burn stubble, we are also providing them with the necessary machinery, infrastructure and practical alternatives for its scientific management.”
Detailing the efforts made through the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), Arora stated that 83 industrial boilers using stubble as fuel are operational, while 16 more boilers are being installed. Similarly, 78 projects for making pellets from stubble are operational, while 69 other projects are at various stages of development. In addition, 11 biomass power plants and 9 Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants are operational. Letters of Intent have been issued for 44 other CBG projects.
He said, “These projects show that Punjab is transforming crop residue into an economically useful resource. Instead of political blame games, the Mann government is developing a sustainable system that will benefit farmers, industry and the environment.”
Calling the statements made by BJP leaders Kapil Mishra and Manjinder Singh Sirsa about Punjab's farmers baseless, Arora asked Punjab BJP leaders Sunil Jakhar and Kewal Singh Dhillon to publicly clarify their stand on the matter. He said, “When incidents of stubble burning in fields are already being monitored through satellites, why is the BJP targeting Punjab's farmers through drone surveillance? Is the objective to find scientific solutions or to intimidate farmers? Punjab's farmers have made significant efforts to reduce stubble-burning incidents. Instead of appreciating their contribution, BJP leaders are insulting them. The BJP should issue an unconditional apology to Punjab and its farmers.”
Regarding paddy procurement, Arora reiterated that the Bhagwant Singh Mann government is committed to procuring every single grain of paddy from farmers and ensuring its proper storage. He stated that the entire Cash Credit Limit (CCL) of approximately Rs 40,000 crore approved by the Centre has been utilised. Considering the bumper paddy production this year, there is an immediate need to increase this limit.
He said, “Favourable weather conditions this year and the availability of water up to the tail ends of Punjab's canal irrigation system have resulted in bumper paddy production. Our government is committed to ensuring that no farmer faces any difficulty in selling their crop. We have asked the Centre to immediately increase the CCL so that paddy procurement and payments to farmers can continue without interruption.”
Arora said that strict monitoring is being maintained along Punjab's borders to prevent the illegal influx of paddy from neighbouring states. He said that the government is taking all necessary steps to protect the interests of Punjab's farmers.
Responding to journalists' questions about Punjab's history, Arora said that the military attack on Sri Darbar Sahib and the 1984 Sikh massacre inflicted deep wounds on Punjab and the Sikh community. He said, “The military attack on Sri Darbar Sahib and the 1984 Sikh massacre are painful chapters in our history. The Congress did not take the necessary steps to help the families affected by the massacre. The suffering of those families cannot be forgotten.”
Commenting on former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's cycle march, Arora said that due to the Congress party's internal infighting, the march would not make any significant difference to the party's political position.
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