New Delhi, Oct 21 (UNI) Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa today hit-out at the Aam Aadmi Party and its leaders, accusing their government in Punjab of forcing farmers to burn crop residue to impact pollution levels in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Diwali.
The BJP leader alleged that the AAP, which was in power for a decade in the national capital, is now unable to withstand the progress and works done by the present government in just a seven months period, with results visible on ground.
Sirsa, while addressing a press conference on Tuesday at the Delhi secretariat also shared videos purportedly showing crop residue burning in villages of Punjab.
“I want to show how AAP is forcing farmers to deliberately cover their faces and burn stubble, so that it affects Delhi,” he said.
Sharpening his attack on 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. As per the 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 11 points.
He said 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.
According to Sirsa, “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.”
Meanwhile, replying to question about the statements by AAP asking why had cloud seeding not done yet, Sirsa said process requires presence of appropriate clouds, and as soon as they are present the cloud seeding will be done.
According to the minister, aircraft, pilots and all the resources are ready and on stand- by, as soon as there are appropriate clouds, it is going to be be done.
