Why Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann is furious over pollution

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday sparked a debate on Delhi’s air pollution, blaming local and neighboring states for the pollution. Citing wind patterns, he claimed that smoke from Punjab doesn’t reach Delhi, and pointed fingers at Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi’s own pollution. Criticizing the BJP government for Delhi’s rising pollution and countering accusations that Punjab’s smoke is responsible for the deteriorating air quality in the national capital, the Chief Minister asserted at a press conference that Punjab’s smoke doesn’t reach Delhi. Mann emphasized that the paddy harvesting in Punjab isn’t responsible, as Delhi’s AQI had reached 400 even before the harvesting began. He further stated that 99% of Punjab’s rice is exported and isn’t the staple food of the local population. Mann stated that smoke from Punjab doesn’t reach Delhi. For the smoke to reach Delhi from Punjab in 10 days, winds must blow from north to south at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour, which never happens… The smoke coming to Delhi stops at Connaught Place! What a joke! He pointed out that Delhi’s neighboring states are Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi has its own pollution… Even before the paddy harvesting began in Punjab, Delhi’s AQI had reached 400… 99% of the paddy harvested in Punjab is shipped across the country; rice is not even the staple food of the people of Punjab. Meanwhile, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the national capital remained shrouded in a thick layer of toxic smog on Tuesday morning. The average air quality index (AQI) at 7 am was recorded at 341, which falls into the “very poor” category. According to CPCB data, there has been no significant improvement in the air quality index compared to Monday morning, when it was recorded at 351 at 7 am, which falls into the “very poor” category.