Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticised the Centre for repeatedly holding Punjab responsible for issues related to pollution, asserting that his government and the state’s farmers are making efforts to protect the environment. He said that reducing stubble burning incidents has been a significant achievement this season, crediting government support, the availability of machinery and farmers’ awareness for the improvement.
In a post on social media platform X, Mann said that blaming Punjab for every issue had become a habit of the Central Government. He maintained that the state was fully aware of the importance of protecting its land, water and air and was taking steps to address environmental concerns.
Bhagwant Mann Credits Government Support and Farmers
The Chief Minister attributed the reported decline in stubble burning cases to cooperation from the state government, the availability of agricultural machinery and the growing awareness among farmers. He highlighted the role of farmers in adopting alternatives to burning crop residue and said their participation had contributed to the improvement.
Mann’s remarks also underline the Punjab government’s position that the issue of air pollution should be addressed through coordinated efforts rather than placing responsibility on a single state. He argued that Punjab’s efforts to manage crop residue and protect natural resources should be recognised.
Punjab’s Stand on Stubble Management
Stubble burning has remained an important environmental concern in northern India, particularly during the paddy harvesting season. Crop residue management requires the availability of suitable machinery, timely support to farmers and practical alternatives to burning.
