Chandigarh, Nov 18— Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday rejected allegations that stubble-burning in the state is responsible for Delhi’s worsening air quality, calling the claims “a joke.”
Addressing reporters, Mann argued that meteorological conditions make it impossible for smoke from Punjab to reach the national capital. “For smoke to travel from Punjab to Delhi in 10 days, it requires wind blowing from north to south at 30 kmph, which never happens. The smoke that travels to Delhi stays over Connaught Place!” he said.
The Chief Minister also noted that Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) had already crossed 400 before the paddy harvesting season began in Punjab. “Even before paddy harvesting began in Punjab, Delhi’s AQI reached 400. There are Haryana, Rajasthan and UP neighbouring Delhi, plus Delhi’s own pollution. 99 per cent of the paddy harvested in Punjab is sent across the country; rice is not even a staple food here,” Mann added.
Delhi experienced heavy smog on Tuesday, with an average AQI of 341 at 7 a.m., falling in the “very poor” category, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. Key monitoring stations—Dhaula Kuan (365), Anand Vihar (381), Ghazipur (345), and Akshardham (381)—also recorded very poor levels. Under CPCB norms, an AQI of 301–400 is classified as “very poor,” while 401–500 is “severe.”
The political debate escalated as Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa accused the AAP-led Punjab government of “forcing” farmers to burn crop residue despite central incentives. Sirsa alleged that masked individuals were seen setting stubble on fire and claimed that an AAP worker admitted being compelled to participate.
Sirsa also pointed to what he called a “role reversal” by the AAP. “Former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal used to explain how Punjab’s stubble smoke affects Delhi. Now the same people are silent when they are in power,” he said, while acknowledging that pollution also comes from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
