New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI) Delhi minister Kapil Mishra on Monday alleged that a sudden spike in stubble-burning incidents in Punjab on Diwali was suspicious and called for an investigation into the matter.
Addressing a press conference, the law and justice minister claimed that his office and other government representatives received calls from Punjab, with farmers claiming that their fields were deliberately being set on fire while they were celebrating Diwali with their families.
There was no immediate response from AAP.
Punjab witnessed its sharpest single-day spike in paddy stubble-burning incidents this season on Diwali, with 1,152 farm fires reported across the state, according to official data.
Mishra said the Delhi government examined satellite data on stubble-burning incidents and found that the number of reported fire locations in Punjab rose sharply on Diwali compared to the three preceding days.
Satellite data showed around 100 to 125 fire incidents each on November 5, 6 and 7, while the figure rose to nearly 1,200 on November 8, he said.
He questioned the sudden rise in farm fires and said the matter needed to be investigated to establish the circumstances behind the fires.
Mishra appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to order an inquiry and register FIRs in cases where fields were set on fire. He also called for the examination of phone records of local representatives in the affected areas.
The minister claimed that the issue was being used to target Diwali celebrations and create a divide between farmers and the festival.
Mishra claimed that the Air Quality Index in Punjab’s Malout, Abohar and Sangrur had crossed 1,200 and Sangrur recorded an AQI of 1,651 in the early hours of Monday.
Comparing Delhi’s pollution levels before and after Diwali, he claimed that the increase in pollution this year was lower compared to previous years.
Citing figures, the minister said Delhi had recorded a 43.33 per cent rise in pollution in 2023 and an increase of around 10 per cent in 2024, while this year the figure showed a decline of 1.33 per cent.
Mishra said pollution remained a concern, but the government’s efforts and public participation have helped improve the situation. PTI SHB DIV
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