Sangrur: Punjab minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state president Aman Arora on Tuesday claimed the state has achieved a nearly 95% reduction in farm fires since 2020, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of scapegoating Punjab’s farmers for Delhi’s air pollution despite scientific data.Speaking in Sangrur, Arora cited Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) figures showing stubble-burning incidents plummeted from 83,002 in 2020 to 5,114 in 2025, and stand at 4,657 so far this season. He attributed the decline to farmers’ cooperation and the state govt’s crop-residue management efforts.Relying on SAFAR and IITM data, Arora stated stubble smoke contributed just 7.8% to Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution on Diwali (Nov 8) and 5% on Nov 9, with its seasonal average contribution hovering between 4% and 5%. Citing studies by CEEW, Kulkarni and co-authors, and DSS reports, he emphasised that local emissions drive Delhi’s pollution, demanding an unconditional apology from the BJP for maligning farmers.Arora highlighted that over 1.6 lakh subsidised crop-residue management machines have been distributed since 2022, including 25,917 this year. Punjab is currently managing 1.1 crore tonne of stubble in-situ (in fields) and 78 lakh tonne ex-situ (outside fields).Outlining industrial utilisation, he stated 83 stubble-fired industrial boilers are operational and 16 are being installed, alongside 78 operational pellet projects (with 69 under development). Additionally, 11 biomass power plants and nine compressed biogas (CBG) plants are functional, with letters of intent issued for 44 more CBG projects.Dismissing criticism from BJP’s Kapil Mishra and Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Arora questioned the need for drone surveillance when satellites already track farm fires, while urging Punjab BJP leaders Sunil Jakhar and Kewal Singh Dhillon to clarify their stance.On paddy procurement, Arora urged the Centre to immediately enhance the ₹40,000-crore cash credit limit (CCL)—which has been fully utilised—to clear payments for this year’s bumper harvest, driven by favourable weather and improved canal irrigation. He assured that the state would procure every grain, maintain uninterrupted payments, and enforce strict border surveillance to prevent illegal paddy entry from neighbouring states.On political issues, Arora stated the 1984 anti-Sikh riots left deep wounds on Punjab, alleging Congress failed to support victim families. He also dismissed former CM Charanjit Singh Channi’s cycle yatra, claiming internal rifts within Congress would render it ineffective.
