Sangrur: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab unit president and cabinet minister Aman Arora on Tuesday, citing data from central research institutes, challenged the BJP to explain how the smoke from Punjab's stubble can reach Delhi in just 20 minutes. He said that on November 9, the contribution of stubble smoke to PM 2.5 pollution in Delhi was only 5 per cent, whereas in Punjab, cases of stubble burning have reduced by about 95 per cent this year.
Farmers got 1.62 lakh machines for stubble management
Arora attributed this reduction to the cooperation of farmers and the continuous efforts of the Bhagwant Mann government. He said the government has provided more than 1.62 lakh machines for crop residue management. He demanded that the BJP pay attention to the real sources of Delhi's pollution and tender an unconditional apology for repeatedly defaming the farmers of Punjab. Detailing the state government's efforts for stubble management, he also demanded immediate increase in the cash credit limit (CCL) sanctioned by the Center so that paddy procurement continues uninterrupted.
95 percent reduction in stubble burning cases as compared to 2020
Citing data from the CREAMS laboratory of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Arora said that 83,002 cases of stubble burning were recorded in Punjab during the year 2020, while this number had come down to 5,114 in 2025. So far, 4,657 cases have been registered in the current season, which is about 95 percent less than in 2020. He said, “This reduction has been possible with the full cooperation of the farmers of Punjab. The Bhagwant Singh Mann government has provided practical options and necessary resources to the farmers for stubble management.”
Arora accused BJP of defaming farmers
The Punjab unit president of AAP said, “Instead of appreciating these efforts, the BJP is deliberately running a campaign to defame the same farmers who have made a significant contribution in reducing the cases of stubble burning.”
Stubble smoke contributes 5 percent to Delhi's pollution
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 PM 2.5 pollution was 7.8 percent, which came down to just 5 percent on November 9. He said that except for two days of the season, its average contribution remained between 4 to 5 percent.
Demand to pay attention to local pollution sources
Arora said, “Research by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), studies by Kulkarni and his co-authors and reports by 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 blaming the farmers of Punjab for Delhi's pollution.”
This year 25,917 machines were given to farmers
Referring to the state government's efforts to curb stubble burning, Arora said that since 2022, more than 1.62 lakh machines have been provided on subsidy to farmers, panchayats, farmer producer organizations (FPOs) and custom hiring centers for crop residue management. Of these, 25,917 machines have been made available this year.
Government is giving options for scientific management of stubble
He said, “The Bhagwant Mann government is working to scientifically manage about 1.14 crore tonnes of stubble in the fields and 78 lakh tonnes of stubble outside the fields. Along with appealing to the farmers not to burn the stubble, we are also providing them the necessary machinery, infrastructure and practical options for its scientific management.”
Promotion of biomass and CBG projects
Giving details of the efforts made through Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), Arora said that 83 industrial boilers using stubble as fuel are operational and 16 more boilers are being installed. Similarly, 78 projects for making pellets from straw are in operation, while 69 other projects are in 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.
Emphasis on converting stubble into economic resource
He said, “These projects show that Punjab is converting crop residues into an economically useful resource. Instead of political recriminations, the Mann government is developing a sustainable system that will benefit farmers, industry and the environment.”
Demand from BJP leaders to clarify their stand publicly
Terming the statements made by BJP leaders Kapil Mishra and Manjinder Singh Sirsa about Punjab farmers as baseless, Arora asked Punjab BJP leaders Sunil Jakhar and Kewal Singh Dhillon to publicly clarify their stand on the matter. He said, “When the incidents of stubble burning in the fields are already being monitored through satellite, then why is the BJP targeting the farmers of Punjab by monitoring them with drones? Is its purpose to find scientific solutions or to scare the farmers? The farmers of Punjab have made huge efforts to reduce the cases of stubble burning. Instead of appreciating their contribution, BJP leaders are insulting them. BJP should apologize unconditionally to Punjab and its farmers.”
Government committed to buy every grain of paddy
Regarding the purchase of paddy, Arora reiterated that the Bhagwant Singh Mann government is committed to purchasing every grain of paddy from the farmers and its proper storage. He said that the cash credit limit (CCL) of about Rs 40,000 crore sanctioned by the Center has been completely utilized. In view of the abundant production of paddy this year, there is an immediate need to increase this limit.
Demand from Center to increase CCL
He said, “This year, favorable weather and water reaching the last mile of the canal irrigation system in Punjab has resulted in bumper paddy production. Our government is committed to ensure that no farmer faces any problem in selling his crop. We have asked the Center to immediately increase the CCL, so that paddy procurement and payments to farmers continue uninterrupted.”
Monitoring to stop illegal arrival of paddy on the borders
Arora said that strict vigil is being maintained on the borders of Punjab to prevent illegal arrival of paddy from neighboring states. He said that the government is taking all necessary steps to protect the interests of the farmers of Punjab.
1984 Sikh massacre described as a deep wound of history
Answering questions from journalists about the history of Punjab, Arora said that the military attack on Sri Darbar Sahib and the 1984 Sikh massacre have deeply wounded Punjab and the Sikh community. He said, “The military attack on Sri Darbar Sahib and the 1984 Sikh genocide are painful chapters in our history. Congress did not take necessary steps to help the families affected by the genocide. The suffering of those families cannot be forgotten.”
Channi's bicycle journey also took taunt
Regarding the cycle trip of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Arora said that due to the internal discord in the Congress, this trip will not make much difference in the political situation of the party.