The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has vehemently criticized the BJP-led central government for dismissing Punjab's demand for Rs 1,200 crore to curb the widespread issue of stubble burning, a practice that severely impacts the state’s environment and contributes to alarming levels of air pollution. AAP leaders have raised concerns that this rejection highlights a persistent pattern of discrimination and neglect by the Modi government towards Punjab’s agricultural sector.

In a strongly worded press conference held at the AAP office in Chandigarh on Tuesday, senior AAP spokesperson and Member of Parliament, Malwinder Singh Kang, accused the Centre of turning a blind eye to Punjab's repeated requests for assistance. Kang pointed out that the central government has already withheld nearly Rs 10,000 crore from the state by blocking crucial funds meant for rural development, mandi infrastructure, and the National Health Mission, further deepening Punjab’s fiscal distress.

“This is not just about stubble burning; this is about a government that continuously undermines Punjab and its farmers,” Kang stated. He emphasized that the Modi government has made life harder for Punjab’s farmers, withholding essential funds and obstructing efforts that could bring long-term solutions to the state’s agricultural challenges. The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has been working tirelessly to reduce stubble burning by raising awareness and providing technical support to farmers, but a lack of central funding remains a major hurdle.

According to Kang, Punjab’s relentless efforts over the last two-and-a-half years have resulted in a notable decrease in stubble burning incidents, but these efforts could go further with adequate financial backing. “Despite our best efforts, the central government’s failure to provide the requested Rs 1,200 crore is nothing short of an insult to the farmers of Punjab,” he added.

The Fight Against Stubble Burning: A Growing Crisis

Punjab’s stubble burning problem reaches a critical point each year as the winter season approaches. The burning of paddy stubble not only harms the environment but also exacerbates air pollution in neighboring regions, including Delhi, where smog levels soar during these months. The Punjab government’s proposal to incentivize farmers with Rs 2,500 per acre for not burning stubble is an attempt to address the issue at its core—by providing farmers with a financial alternative to burning.

The scale of the problem is significant, with around 32 lakh hectares of paddy planted across the state. The Punjab government has estimated that a total of Rs 2,000 crore would be required to fund the proposed incentives, with the state and Delhi each contributing Rs 400 crore. However, the remaining 60 percent of the funding, which amounts to Rs 1,200 crore, is essential for the scheme to succeed. Yet, despite repeated requests since 2022, the Centre has consistently rejected the proposal, leaving Punjab’s farmers to face the financial burden alone.

“Instead of offering solutions, the BJP government is creating roadblocks that hinder progress. Farmers are being forced to burn stubble because they cannot afford the high costs of machinery and other necessary tools for sustainable farming practices. Economic incentives are the only realistic approach to end this practice, and the Centre must step up,” Kang said.

AAP Condemns BJP’s Attitude Towards Punjab's Farmers

AAP’s criticism goes beyond financial neglect—it also addresses what the party views as a deliberate disregard for the contribution of Punjab’s farmers to the nation’s food security. “Punjab and Haryana are the breadbaskets of India. Every grain of rice, wheat, and cereal that feeds millions of families across the country is grown with the sweat of our farmers. Treating them with such disdain is an affront to the spirit of national unity,” Kang asserted.

The party also drew attention to the repeated failure of the BJP to live up to its claims of supporting farmers. While the Centre often portrays itself as a champion of agricultural welfare, its inaction in critical times—such as the rejection of Punjab's stubble burning prevention scheme—has exposed the hypocrisy of these claims, according to AAP.

Punjab and Delhi’s Shared Responsibility

Both Punjab and Delhi have already shown their commitment by pledging funds for the scheme. The Delhi government, led by AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal, has also expressed its willingness to contribute Rs 400 crore, recognizing the impact that stubble burning in Punjab has on air quality in the national capital.

“Punjab has been fighting for the well-being of its farmers, and Delhi stands with it. But without central cooperation, this issue will persist, affecting not only Punjab but the entire region,” said Kang.

The central government’s refusal to address Punjab’s demands and provide the required funds not only hinders the state’s efforts to curb stubble burning but also undermines the cooperative federalism that is essential for addressing complex, nation-wide challenges like air pollution and agricultural reform.

The Road Ahead

As winter approaches and stubble burning season intensifies, the AAP has called on the Centre to reconsider its stance and immediately release the Rs 1,200 crore to support Punjab’s farmers. AAP has pledged to continue its fight for the rights of Punjab’s farmers and to ensure that they receive the financial support they need to tackle stubble burning and improve their livelihoods.

“We will not stop. We will keep fighting for Punjab’s farmers, because their struggles are the struggles of every Indian citizen who cares about the future of this country,” Kang concluded.