Stubble Fires in Punjab Spark Political Row Over Air Quality

Kapil Mishra, a minister in the Delhi government, warned that clandestine stubble burning across Punjab is fueling a dangerous rise in air pollution. Speaking to the media, he said farmers had contacted his office, complaining that while Diwali celebrations were underway at home, perpetrators were igniting fields during night hours and fleeing. Mishra admitted he first doubted the claims but later took them seriously after a flood of complaints. He cited alarming AQI numbers: a reading of 1,238 in Malout, 1,307 in Abohar and 1,651 in Sangrur, the hometown of CM Bhagwant Mann. Similar data from Bathinda and other locales point to a widespread problem. The minister highlighted that the post‑Diwali pollution surge was 43.33% in 2023, about 10% in 2024, but this year saw a modest 1.33% fall – a first in recent history. Mishra attacked opposition leader Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of exploiting the fire issue for political gain. Records show nearly 1,200 fire incidents on November 7 across the state. He affirmed that coordinated government measures and public cooperation are gradually improving air quality.