He alleged that the AAP, which was in power for a decade in the national capital, is now unable to withstand the progress and work done by the BJP government in just seven months, with the results visible on the ground.
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Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday accused the AAP dispensation in Punjab to force farmers to burn their crop residue in order to adversely impact the air quality of the national capital during Diwali.
He alleged that the AAP, which was in power for a decade in the national capital, is now unable to withstand the progress and work done by the BJP government in just seven months, with the results visible on the ground.
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Sirsa, while addressing a press conference at the Delhi secretariat, also shared videos purportedly showing crop residue burning in villages of Punjab.
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He stated, “I want to show how AAP is forcing farmers to deliberately cover their faces and burn stubble, so that it affects Delhi.”
Sharpening his attack on the AAP leaders, Sirsa alleged that they were blaming the Diwali celebrations for the pollution.
According to the Delhi Minister, the national capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) levels witnessed a slight rise after Diwali.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average AQI on Monday was 345, and following the Diwali night and bursting of crackers, the city’s average AQI on Tuesday is 351, reeling under the ‘very poor’ category.
Sirsa claimed that in 2023, the AQI increased by 83 units, in 2024 by 32 units, and in 2025, after the ban on firecrackers was lifted, it increased by only 6 points.
He added that to make it possible for the people to celebrate Diwali with full spirit, the state government had requested the Supreme Court to allow green firecrackers.
“We admit with pride that our government allowed people to celebrate Diwali traditionally. Due to firecrackers, there was only a slight increase in the AQI levels after the celebrations of Diwali,” he added.
On the AAP questioning why cloud seeding has not been done yet, Sirsa replied that the process requires presence of appropriate clouds, and as soon as they are present, the cloud seeding will be done.
According to the minister, the aircraft, pilots, and all the resources are ready and on stand- by, as soon as there are appropriate clouds, it is going to be done.
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