Online teaching for Classes X, XII from today
Chief Minister Atishi on Monday announced that physical classes for X and XII will be suspended, and teaching will be conducted in online mode from Tuesday.
She blamed the Centre for failing to take any steps to address the deteriorating air quality in northern India.
“Incidents of stubble burning are increasing across the country, yet the BJP-led Central Government continues to remain inactive. Pollution has reached such dangerous levels that elderly citizens are struggling to breathe, and young children are being forced to rely on inhalers and steroids,” she said.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Capital was recorded at 494 (severe category) on Monday, with dense smog engulfing the city throughout the day.
The CM further claimed that while stubble-burning incidents have decreased in Punjab, they have risen in the states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh over the past six to seven years.
“While BJP-ruled states are witnessing an alarming rise in stubble-burning cases, Punjab has reduced them by 80 per cent — from 73,300 in 2021 to 8,404 in 2024,” she added.
Atishi also highlighted that Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of stubble-burning incidents, with 9,600 cases recorded between September 15 and November 17. “This has pushed air quality in its cities to hazardous levels,” she stated.
“If the Punjab Government can reduce stubble-burning incidents by 80 per cent, why can’t other states? Why is North India being pushed into a medical emergency? Why is the BJP-led Central Government merely playing politics over this issue without taking any concrete steps to prevent stubble burning?” Atishi asked.
She further urged the BJP-led Central Government to stop politicising the issue and take immediate responsibility in reducing stubble-burning incidents.
Citing data from the Central Pollution Control Board, Atishi pointed to the AQI of neighbouring areas. “According to data until 7 pm yesterday, the AQI across northern India is extremely poor. For instance, the AQI in Bahadurgarh is 445, Ballabhgarh is 301, Bhiwani is 415, Bikaner is 403, Churu is 375, Bulandshahr is 310, Ghaziabad-Greater Noida is 362, Hajipur is 367, Hapur is 351 and Hisar is 365,” she said.
In a post on X, she wrote that all of North India has been plunged into a medical emergency due to unchecked stubble burning.
