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In response to the Supreme Court’s guidance, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has recommended that the Punjab government adopt measures similar to those implemented by his administration to address the persistent problem of farm fires. Khattar cautioned against politicizing the issue and disagreed with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s remarks on the matter.
Acknowledging the Supreme Court’s directive, Khattar emphasized the need for Punjab to learn from Haryana’s approach in resolving the stubble burning issue. He commended Haryana farmers for ceasing such practices and urged for a collective, non-political effort to address the problem.
The Haryana CM’s statement followed the Supreme Court’s criticism of the Punjab government for its inability to control stubble burning, a major contributor to air pollution in Delhi-NCR. The court highlighted the need for Punjab to make the process of crop residue entirely free, emphasizing the importance of financial incentives, similar to Haryana’s model.
In response to Khattar’s comments, Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema accused Haryana of witnessing an increase in stubble burning. Cheema defended his government’s efforts, stating that farm fire incidents had decreased by 70%. He urged Khattar to refrain from political posturing and stand in solidarity with the farmers.
Notably, Punjab reported a significant rise in farm fire incidents on Tuesday, reaching 513, compared to 168 in 2021 and 243 in 2022 on the same day. Cheema questioned the lack of assistance from the Centre and urged Khattar to focus on supporting farmers instead of engaging in political maneuvers.
The exchange of statements highlights the ongoing tension between Haryana and Punjab on the stubble burning issue, with each side presenting contrasting perspectives on their efforts to address the environmental challenge.
