Inform steps taken by other states over stubble burning: Environment Minister Imran Hussain asked Central government

With the beginning of harvesting season in the neighbouring states, Delhi government is worried over the deteriorating air quality of the national capital. Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain has asked the Central government to find out what the other states have done with the funds allocated to them to tackle the stubble burning.

Hussain, in last one week, has written several letters to the Chief Ministers of neighbouring states and the Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan over the issue. "I have been waiting for them to respond to our letters," Hussain said.

According to the officials, farmers in neighbouring states are finding it more convenient and cheaper to pay fines for stubble burning instead of measures needed for avoiding such burning. Hussain wrote a letter to Union Minister of Environment Harsh Vardhan on Friday requesting to direct neighbouring state such as Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to take air pollution control measures due to crop residue burning.

The air quality in Delhi remained 'poor' for the third consecutive day due to change in direction of winds which is flowing from stubble burning areas in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana. Earlier, it was predicted that a dust storm will hit the national capital which would further deteriorate the air quality, but, at present, there are no indications of a big storm.

"The state government of Punjab and Haryana must also take their own independent steps to deal with the problem of stubble burning. The problem is also affecting the people residing in these states," Hussain added.

The overall air quality index (AQI) recorded at 4pm stood at 239, which falls under 'poor' category. The declining air quality adversely affects the health and well-being of the people of Delhi especially the children, old people and people affected with respiratory and heart ailments.

On Monday, Delhi government said that it may approach courts to seek their intervention in the stubble burning. The statement was issued by Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain saying that the stubble will deteriorate the ambient air quality of the national capital.

"In case effective steps to mitigate the menace of stubble burning are not initiated by the respective state governments, the Delhi government may be left with no other option but to knock the doors of appropriate courts of law to seek their intervention and seek directions for time bound effective actions by the Centre and concerned state governments," the government had stated in a statement.