Punjab’s agriculture landscape is witnessing a major transformation as stubble burning cases have dropped sharply between 2022 and 2025. The remarkable decline has become a highlight of the state’s environmental progress, with AAP leader Anurag Dhanda publicly praising the Bhagwant Mann government for its consistent and results-driven policies.
The issue of stubble burning has long plagued Punjab, contributing significantly to winter pollution across North India. But recent data suggests a dramatic turnaround. According to figures shared by Dhanda, stubble burning incidents that had escalated to nearly 83,000 cases in 2020 have now plunged to just 3,500 in 2025—a reduction of over 90%.
Anurag Dhanda Calls It “Rangla Punjab”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Anurag Dhanda applauded the AAP government, presenting a visual titled “Rangla Punjab”, symbolizing a greener, cleaner and progressive state.
He wrote that the comparison of stubble burning data across states clearly shows that only the Bhagwant Mann government has worked seriously and systematically to solve the problem. Dhanda added that “Kejriwal ki rajneeti matlab kaam ki rajneeti”, emphasizing that AAP’s governance model is rooted in performance and measurable impact.
His statement has since generated widespread reactions online, with many highlighting the data as one of Punjab’s biggest environmental achievements in recent years.
How Punjab Achieved This Breakthrough
The credit for the decline goes to a combination of government incentives, farmer-centric schemes, and technological interventions:
- Subsidies for modern farm machinery such as Happy Seeders, Super Seeders and Mulchers.
- Large-scale training and awareness campaigns led by Punjab’s agriculture department.
- Promotion of alternative uses for paddy straw, including soil incorporation and composting.
- Support for in-situ and ex-situ crop residue management.
These sustained efforts encouraged farmers to adopt eco-friendly practices, reducing the dependency on burning stubble.
Why This Matters
The drop in stubble burning is not just an achievement for Punjab—it has national significance. Cleaner air, healthier soil, and improved environmental stability benefit millions across the region. Experts believe that if such policies continue with the same intensity, Punjab can become a model state for agricultural sustainability.
Punjab’s success story is now widely discussed, and leaders like Anurag Dhanda are crediting the Bhagwant Mann government for driving this positive change with commitment and accountability.
