“Take responsibility for stubble burning in Punjab”: Arvind Kejriwal on Delhi pollution

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday remarked that pollution is not Delhi’s but North India’s problem, urging the Centre to take specific steps to relieve the region from the problem.

Kejriwal also said that the Delhi government is mulling whether the odd-even scheme for vehicles should be implemented. He went on to announce that the primary schools in Delhi will be shut from Saturday onwards till the pollution situation in the National capital improves. The Delhi CM’s remarks come after the national capital reported the air quality in the ‘severe’ category for the second consecutive day.

Addressing a joint press conference with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Kejriwal took responsibility for the stubble burning in Punjab and said that it is not the time to blame game and doing politics over the sensitive issue.

“Pollution is not just Delhi’s but entire Northern India’s problem. The Centre has to come forward and take specific steps so that the entire North India can be relieved from pollution. Air pollution is a North India problem. AAP, the Delhi government or the Punjab government are not solely responsible. Now is not the time for the blame game. There should not be politics over such a sensitive issue. I admit there is stubble burning in Punjab,” Kejriwal said.

Delhi | Air pollution is a North India problem. AAP, Delhi Govt or Punjab govt are not solely responsible. Now not the time for blame game: CM Arvind Kejriwal in a press conference with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann pic.twitter.com/xdvwYFW6or

— ANI (@ANI) November 4, 2022

Kejriwal hoped that lot lesser incidents of stubble burning would be reported in Punjab by next year and said that steps are being taken for it.

“Farmers are not responsible for it. They want a solution. The day they find the solution, they will stop burning stubble. If there is stubble burning in Punjab, our government is responsible for it. We take responsibility for it. We have been in the government for only six months which is a very less period. The Punjab government has taken steps. I hope the stubble-burning incidents will be much lesser by next year,” he said.

#WATCH | “We will try for crop diversification… we will try to move our farmers from rice to other crops in Punjab,” say AAP Chief & Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal & Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann in a joint press conference over rising pollution in Delhi pic.twitter.com/MQcWbHwLuN

— ANI (@ANI) November 4, 2022

“We’re also mulling whether the odd-even scheme for vehicles should be implemented,” Kejriwal added.

“We’re taking all steps to control the pollution situation. In lieu of that, we’re shutting down all primary schools in Delhi from tomorrow… Also shutting down outdoor activities for all classes above class 5,” the Delhi CM said.