Punjab farmers continue stubble burning as capital Delhi chokes

Despite regular and extensive media coverage of the deteriorating air quality in Delhi, farmers in Punjab continue to burn crop residues on their farms. The national capital and its adjoining areas fell to the 'hazardous' category of the Air Quality Index (AQI) on Sunday. According to the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC), incidents of stubble burning has seen a spike this year.

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Penalty for stubble burning

The district administration on Saturday had penalised 133 farmers for resorting to stubble burning with the minimum fine of Rs. 2,500, informed Kaithal Agriculture Deputy Director Pawan Sharma. "Each defaulter has paid at least Rs. 2,500 as fine. The highest fine imposed was Rs. 15,000. These fines levied after taking stock of the area of their land. FIR will also be filed against those who fail to pay the fines," said Sharma.

Percentile reduction in stubble smoke

Meanwhile, according to government air quality monitor SAFAR, the share of stubble burning in Delhi's pollution reduced from 44% on Friday, the season's highest, to 17% on Saturday. But the city's air quality is likely to remain "severe" due to calm winds, which is unfavorable for dispersion of pollutants, it said. However, it is likely to recover to a "very poor" category on Sunday due to a drastic reduction in stubble burning and change in wind direction, according to a SAFAR report.

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CM Kejriwal calls for more action

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a public statement said that the deteriorating levels of air quality in the city was owing to stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana. He said that Delhi is facing severe pollution issues despite all measures taken by the government and necessary steps followed by the people. He also announced that the government is distributing masks to people through school children. Kejriwal had many times publically appealed Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to take stringent measures to curb stubble burning by providing the necessary technology and machines to Punjab farmers.

READ | Delhi Remains Unbreathable, AQI Severe Across National Capital

Public health emergency in Delhi

On Friday, the Supreme Court-mandated Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority declared a public health emergency, following which the Delhi government decided to shut all schools. The EPCA also banned construction activities in Delhi-NCR till November 5. The odd-even vehicle rationing scheme of the Delhi government will roll out from Monday.

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(With ANI inputs)