"State of pollution ever since AAP came to power, only BJP can reduce pollution": BJP on deteriorating air quality in Delhi

BJP leader Manoj Tiwari on Saturday said that the longevity of the people of Delhi has reduced by 10-12 years because of the AAP government.

"This is the state of pollution ever since AAP came to power... The longevity of the people of Delhi has reduced by 10-12 years... It is AAP's responsibility but they have no time from corruption. All of their brains are used in figuring out how to loot Delhi... Now, Delhi needs a double-engine government. Only BJP can reduce pollution... They have been in power for 10 years but they still blame others... If BJP comes to power, we will reduce pollution within 2 years... That picture (toxic foam over Yamuna River) is because of the anti-Hindu policy of Arvind Kejriwal. He has no intention of cleaning Yamuna. We will clean Yamuna within 3 years,' Tiwari said.

Haryana minister Anil Vij said, "The matter of stubble burning is in the Supreme Court. We will see what will be the order of the Supreme Court and work will be done according to that."

Haryana former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has said the government should fix MSP for stubble and buy it from farmers.

Describing the action taken by the government against farmers for burning stubble is completely condemnable, he said the government should take back this anti-farmer decision.

"Farmers take such steps under compulsion. Instead of imposing fines on farmers, filing FIRs against them and red-listing them, the government should work on a solution to this. Many things can be made by buying stubble, such as fuel, bio-thermocol, ethanol, bio-bitumen, pallets, pulp, fertilizer, bricks, and it can also be used for electricity production," he said.

Answering the questions from journalists at his residence, Hooda said stubble burning has a very small share in pollution.

"The real cause of pollution is factories, vehicles and dust. Therefore, the government should dispose of the stubble or buy the stubble from the farmers. At present, the machines that the government is talking about providing for the disposal of stubble are not proving to be effective. The number of machines is also very less. Especially small farmers are unable to use them," he added.

"Machines have to be called in the field several times for a single task. First, different machines have to be called to cut the paddy residue, then to collect it and then to make bales, and after that, it also takes a long time to lift it. By then, the time for sowing the next crop is over. The government needs to pay attention to these practical aspects so that the real problem of the farmer can be understood," he noted.

Earlier, a delegation of farmers met him and gave a memorandum. Hooda reminded the BJP government of its election promise.

"Today the situation is such that farmers are not getting even MSP, let alone Rs 3100, and they are forced to sell their crop at a lower rate. Not only this, due to lack of lifting, the markets are filled with paddy and farmers are not even able to find a place to store their crop. Due to delay in lifting, payment is also getting delayed," he stated.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi attacked the Delhi government and accused the AAP of doing the same drama on pollution every year.

"AAP does the same drama every year. Every year the pollution increases and the farmers are blamed for it. The central government and state government have not taken any step to control air pollution," Alvi said.

On Supreme Court slamming Punjab and Haryana over Delhi air pollution, Punjab Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the concern expressed by the Supreme Court is correct.

"The air quality should be good for everyone. There are two kinds of counters through which this works - 1) management from the government, 2) from the individuals. Farmers too have to breathe in the same air...We have provided them with machines and done a lot more. A lot of instruments have come in now. Technique is very advanced now. We are happy that a lot of farmers don't burn stubble, and still get a good crop," Punjab Minister said.

Earlier today, incidents of stubble burning were reported in a field in in Zirakpur, SAS Nagar in Punjab.

Environmentalist Vimlendu Jha said that stubble burning was one of the main reasons for the increase of pollution.

Speaking to ANI, Jha said "Stubble burning is one of the reasons for the increase in the air pollution in North India. Apart from that, in Delhi, the winds of Punjab have still not come here. The local sources of pollution here is the dust and vehicular pollution. The state government and central government need to work together to find solutions. Road side dust contributes 30 per cent, and public vehicles also count up to 30 per cent pollution. Stubble burning only occurs for 25-30 days. The rest of the year the local problems are the reasons of the pollution."

The overall Air Quality Index in Delhi has dropped to 280 at 10 am, putting it under the 'Poor' category. (ANI)