Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha raised the issue of Delhi’s persistent air pollution in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, emphasizing that stubble burning by farmers is not the sole cause of the deteriorating air quality in the national capital. He highlighted that farmers resort to stubble burning out of compulsion due to a lack of viable alternatives and urged the central and state governments to provide financial aid and resources. “Burning stubble is a compulsion for farmers. Farmers are not responsible for the air pollution in Delhi,” Chadha said, citing an IIT study. Taking a swipe at the Centre, he remarked, “We talk about AI, but if we want to get rid of pollution, we need to talk about AQI.”
Chadha proposed a short-term solution to assist farmers in adopting environmentally friendly practices, suggesting Rs 2,500 per acre in financial aid, with Rs 2,000 from the central government and Rs 500 from the Punjab government. He noted that this support could help farmers purchase anti-pollution equipment such as ‘happy seeders’ or ‘paddy choppers.’
Delhi is currently experiencing one of its worst air pollution seasons. Air Quality Index (AQI) levels have reached the ‘severe plus’ category in some areas, with readings peaking at 500. Toxic smog has blanketed the city for weeks, lowering visibility and causing significant disruptions. The state government has implemented the strictest measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 4, which includes school closures and halting construction activities. As of Tuesday, SAFAR reported Delhi’s overall AQI at 272, classified as ‘poor,’ though several areas recorded ‘very poor’ levels with readings between 300 and 400.
