Kejriwal stresses dangers of stubble burning, as AQI worsens in Delhi

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday, November 11 urged the people of Haryana and Punjab to stop stubble burning. Taking to Twitter, Kejriwal said, "pollution in the national capital has again started increasing after some respite last week." He further stated that people in the national capital are suffering immensely due to the rising air pollution. "We should stop stubble burning," he said. 

CM Kejriwal's tweet came after Delhi government standing counsel (criminal) Rahul Mehra highlighted large scale stubble burning in Punjab through a bird's eye view picture of farmlands in the state. 

Read: 'Delhi has won battle against dengue,' declares CM Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi's air quality rises

After a brief respite last week, Delhi's air quality has started rising again. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital is over 350 on Monday. An AQI between 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor' and 401-500 'severe'. Above 500 falls in the 'severe-plus emergency' category.

Read: Ayodhya verdict: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal welcomes SC's decision

Supreme Court's order 

The Supreme Court on November 6 has ordered the governments of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to give an incentive of Rs 100 per quintal within 7 days to small and marginal farmers who have not burnt crop stubble. The burning of crop residue in the three states is stated to be responsible for 44 per cent of the air pollution in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).

Read: Arvind Kejriwal opens up on lawyer-police clash; calls it unfortunate

Read: Arvind Kejriwal to launch 'AK app' to connect with party workers

(WITH ANI INPUTS)