Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has strongly criticised the Centre and BJP leaders for repeatedly blaming stubble burning in Punjab for rising air pollution in Delhi.
Terming the practice of targeting Punjab and its farmers every year as unfortunate, Sandhwan said political leaders should focus on facts rather than making baseless allegations against the farming community.
He made these remarks during a visit to a farmer's field in Wara Daraka village, where he highlighted the multiple factors contributing to Delhi's worsening air quality.
Sandhwan said vehicular emissions, dust generated by construction activities, rising population and pollution from industrial units are among the major contributors to air pollution in Delhi. Therefore, holding Punjab's farmers solely responsible for the national capital's pollution crisis is neither fair nor justified, he added.
Pointing to the situation on the ground, the Speaker said incidents of stubble burning in the region have been very few. In several areas, fires caused by stubble burning are barely visible even from a distance. Despite this, Punjab's farmers are repeatedly targeted whenever Delhi's air quality deteriorates, he said.
Highlighting the contribution of the farming community, Sandhwan said Punjab's farmers play a vital role in filling the country's food reserves and ensuring national food security. He also recalled the immense sacrifices made by Punjabis during the country's freedom struggle and their continued contribution to nation-building.
Appealing to BJP leaders, Sandhwan urged them to stop maligning Punjab and its farmers. Instead of making unsubstantiated allegations, they should seriously examine all the factors responsible for air pollution and work towards addressing the problem.
He further stressed that the hard work and contribution of Punjab's farmers towards the nation deserve respect and recognition rather than repeated accusations.
