MP Raghav Chadha Raises Concerns Over Air Travel Issues in Parliament, Criticizes Rising Fares and Service Gaps
New Delhi 03 December 2024: AAP National Spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha proposed a comprehensive initiative to support farmers in stubble management, in Rajya Sabha, today. The MP has urged the central government to provide ₹2,500 per acre to farmers, emphasizing that sustainable solutions to stubble burning require strong financial and policy support. He highlighted that air pollution in North India affects multiple states and results from various factors. Under AAP’s leadership, Punjab has achieved a 70% drop in stubble burning incidents this year, demonstrating that progress is possible with the right support.
Raghav Chadha raised the concern over prevailing pollution in North India
AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP, Raghav Chadha, raised the concern over the prevailing pollution in North India and its impact in the Rajya Sabha, stating that a thick blanket of smoke currently covers North India. He said, “With every breath, we are unknowingly inhaling the equivalent of numerous cigarettes and bidis. Air pollution isn’t just Delhi’s problem; it’s a crisis affecting the entire region, spanning multiple states. Cities in the North, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarnagar, Noida, Hapur, Bhiwani, Agra, Faridabad face way more pollution than Delhi. Yet, the blame is disproportionately placed on farmers. Today, I stand to raise my voice in their defence.”
The AAP MP further stated that an IIT study shows that while stubble burning is one of the causes of air pollution, it is not the only one. However, the entire blame is unfairly shifted onto farmers. Throughout the year, we call farmers our gods and ‘anndata’. But come November, we label them as criminals, demanding they be fined or jailed.
“No farmer deliberately or willingly burns stubble
Raghav Chadha asserted, “No farmer deliberately or willingly burns stubble. They do it out of sheer compulsion. This year, AAP ruled Punjab saw a reduction of more than 70% in stubble burning incidents. In contrast, states like Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan reported an increase.”
The MP from Punjab emphasised that Punjab took up paddy farming to feed the country when there was a shortage of food grains. However, this has come at a great cost to Punjab. He said, “Our water table has dropped by 600 feet, our soil has degraded, and this is despite the fact that rice is not a staple food for Punjabis.”
farmers to spend Rs 2,000–3,000 per acre to operate them
He said farmers must clear the paddy stubble within 10–12 days before sowing the next crop. If they don’t clear it in time, it adversely affects the yield of the next crop. This forces farmers to burn the stubble.
Raghav Chadha pointed out that solutions like Happy Seeders and Paddy Choppers come with a hefty price tag, requiring farmers to spend Rs 2,000–3,000 per acre to operate them. For farmers already struggling to break even, such expenses are unaffordable, leaving them with no choice but to burn stubble. Tragically, farmers and their families bear the brunt, forced to breathe the toxic air.
AAP MP Raghav Chadha proposes Rs 2,500 per acre assistance for farmers to manage stubble
The AAP Rajya Sabha MP proposed a solution stating, “if we provide farmers in Punjab and Haryana Rs 2,500 per acre as immediate financial assistance to manage stubble, no farmer will burn it. The central government should contribute Rs 2,000, and the state government will bear the remaining cost.This will offer a short-term solution to the stubble-burning issue.”
we also need to talk about AQI
Raghav Chadha further stated, “As for a long-term solution, we need to promote crop diversification, moving away from paddy to crops like cotton, maize, pulses, and oilseeds. While we talk a lot about AI (Artificial Intelligence), we also need to talk about AQI (Air Quality Index).”
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