While Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is seeking an urgent meeting with his counterparts in Punjab and Haryana to address the alarming rise in pollution levels in the national capital, his party legislator was caught on camera burning stubble in the name of supporting farmers.
Kejriwal, who likened the situation in Delhi to that of a gas chamber, has alleged that the neighbouring states had failed to provide farmers with viable alternatives to stubble burning – a process wherein the leftover crops are burnt in order to make way for Rabi crops. The crop burning is a major contributing factor to air pollution in Delhi. However, the latest video showing Khaira with a group of AAP supporters encouraging farmers to burn stubble may leave the party red-faced.
Khaira, who is also the leader of opposition in Punjab assembly, led a farmers’ protest in Samrala in Ludhiana on October 15 and burnt paddy stubble. The AAP leader can be seen lighting paddy stubble in the presence of party workers carrying flags with Kejriwal’s photograph.
The AAP leader had lambasted the Congress government for its move to register FIRs against farmers burning stubble.
He said,
The government should not harass the farmers until the state government makes alternative arrangements for the consumption of paddy straw into the soil as per the directions of National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Earlier, Kejriwal took to Twitter to announce that the Delhi government was seeking an urgent meeting with CMs of Punjab and Haryana to tackle the issue.
Replying to Delhi CM’s tweet, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said that he shared the concern over stubble burning and pollution but it was not a matter for inter-state discussion. Amarinder Singh replied to Kejriwal in a series of tweets,
Share your concern over stubble burning and pollution, Centre alone can solve the problem given its national implications. Situation is serious but Punjab helpless as problem is widespread & state has no money to compensate farmers for stubble management.
The Delhi chief minister agreed that Centre needed to take the lead on the issue but requested Punjab Chief Minister to grant him time to discuss.
My office continuously trying to take time from CMs of Punjab n Haryana for me to meet the two CMs. Its an emergency
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 8, 2017
Share your concern over stubble burning and pollution @ArvindKejriwal, Centre alone can solve the problem given its national implications.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) November 8, 2017
I agree sir that Centre shud take lead. But pl grant me time to discuss if together we can present a plan to centre. Del is choking sir https://t.co/qMQJX6Y4It
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 8, 2017
Situation is serious but Punjab helpless as problem is widespread & state has no money to compensate farmers for stubble management (1/2).
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) November 8, 2017
Sir, it wud be best if we met. Cud u kindly share estimated funds reqd? Both of us together can urge centre. It will help ppl of both states https://t.co/b5fRRzgIdQ
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 8, 2017
It is not a matter for inter-state discussion, that won’t help. It requires central govt intervention, at the earliest (2/2).
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) November 8, 2017
The pollution levels in the capital have become quite worse over the last few days with the air quality being worse than that of Beijing.
