Punjab Claims Reduction In Stubble Burning Incidents, Haryana Cites NASA Images To Hit Back

As the Punjab government claimed a reduction in incidents of stubble burning, the Haryana government released images showing more than double such incidents in Punjab as compared to Haryana.

A farmer burns paddy stubble in a field on the outskirts of Amritsar.

Source : PTI

The Punjab government has said that there has been a reduction in the incidents of stubble burning in the state. The Bhagwant Mann-led government has stated that timely distribution and utilisation of machines are being made, and efforts are being made to ensure maximum utilisation of stubble in various industries.

Timely distribution of machines, utilisation of machines lying idle, efforts to ensure maximum utilisation of stubble in various industries, various deterrence efforts, campaigns to promote various in-situ and ex-situ methods and appeals to farmers, etc. have shown significant…

— ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2023

Following the claims of the Punjab government, the Haryana government released images, which it claimed were from NASA, showing more than double stubble burning incidents in Punjab as compared to Haryana on October 25 and 26.

Haryana government releases images it claims are from NASA showing more than double stubble burning incidents in Punjab as compared to Haryana on October 25&26 pic.twitter.com/oaU09XenHV

— ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2023

Punjab government stated that the number of paddy straw burning incidents reduced from 5798 to 2704, which is 53% reduction in the number of fire incidents between September 15, 2023 to October 25, 2023 as compared to the number of such incidents between September 15, 2022 to October 25, 2022.

Timely distribution of machines, utilisation of machines lying idle, efforts to ensure maximum utilisation of stubble in various industries, various deterrence efforts, campaigns to promote various in-situ and ex-situ methods and appeals to farmers, etc. have shown significant efforts and ensured improved air quality for everyone, it further stated.

On NASA satellite images showing stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar’s OSD (Officer on Special Duty) Jawahar Yadav said, "There is data from NASA of October 25 and 26, which clearly shows where there is stubble burning in Punjab and in Haryana... More than double stubble burning has occurred in Punjab as compared to Haryana. The Haryana government has brought it down...The silence of Arvind Kejriwal about the NASA data creates suspicion. He has alleged that Indian agencies are not giving data on pollution... Why does he need it now?... The Punjab government has failed, and Arvind Kejriwal's face has been exposed in front of the public..."

#WATCH | Gurugram, Haryana: On NASA satellite images showing stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar’s OSD (Officer on Special Duty) Jawahar Yadav says, "There is data from NASA of October 25 and 26, which clearly shows where there is stubble burning in Punjab… pic.twitter.com/L9h6LVIYbs

— ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2023

Speaking on the issue, Punjab SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema said, "We need to discuss what all the state governments were able to do and things they were not able to do to stop pollution due to stubble burning. Big pro-farmer announcements are made but nothing happens. A solution to this issue can be found only when governments provide adequate machinery & financial support to farmers."

#WATCH | On stubble-burning issues, Punjab SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema says, "We need to discuss what all the state governments were able to do and things they were not able to do to stop pollution due to stubble burning. Big pro-farmer announcements are made but nothing… pic.twitter.com/Tr8ba8etFd

— ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2023

SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia said, "...It's the politics of Arvind Kejriwal, it's his failure. Only a very small percentage is due to farmers, the rest is due to construction, industrial and vehicular pollution. They are cheating the farmers of Punjab," as quoted by ANI.

#WATCH | On the issue of stubble burning in Punjab, SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia says, "...It's the politics of Arvind Kejriwal, it's his failure. Only a very small percentage is due to farmers, the rest is due to construction, industrial and vehicular pollution. They are… pic.twitter.com/rpoKoE1K9B

— ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2023