Punjab farmers continue stubble burning as capital Delhi chokes

Despite regular and extensive media cover of deteriorating air quality in Delhi, farmers in Punjab continue to burn crop residues on ir farms. national capital and its adjoining areas fell to 'hazardous' category of Air Quality Index (AQI) on Sunday. According to Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC), incidents of stubble burning has seen a spike this year.

READ | Kejriwal Continues To Blame Stubble Burning For Delhi Air Quality

Penalty for stubble burning

district administration on Saturday had penalised 133 farmers for resorting to stubble burning with minimum fine of Rs. 2,500, informed Kaithal Agriculture Deputy Director Pawan Sharma. "Each defaulter has paid at least Rs. 2,500 as fine. highest fine imposed was Rs. 15,000. se fines levied after taking stock of area of ir land. FIR will also be filed against those who fail to pay fines," said Sharma.

Percentile reduction in stubble smoke

Meanwhile, according to government air quality monitor SAFAR,  share of stubble burning in Delhi's pollution reduced from 44% on Friday, season's highest, to 17% on Saturday. But city's air quality is likely to remain "severe" due to calm winds, which is unfavorable for dispersion of pollutants, it said. However, it is likely to recover to a "very poor" category on Sunday due to a drastic reduction in stubble burning and change in wind direction, according to a SAFAR report.

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CM Kejriwal calls for more action

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a public statement said that deteriorating levels of air quality in city was owing to stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana. He said that Delhi is facing severe pollution issues despite all measures taken by government and necessary steps followed by people. He also anunced that government is distributing masks to people through school children. Kejriwal had many times publically appealed Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to take stringent measures to curb stubble burning by providing necessary techlogy and machines to Punjab farmers.

READ | Delhi Remains Unbreathable, AQI Severe Across National Capital

Public health emergency in Delhi

On Friday, Supreme Court-mandated Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority declared a public health emergency, following which Delhi government decided to shut all schools. EPCA also banned construction activities in Delhi-NCR till vember 5. odd-even vehicle rationing scheme of Delhi government will roll out from Monday.

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(With ANI inputs)