Bhopal: Mohini Mohan Mishra, the National General Secretary of Bharatiya Kisan Singh (BKS), stated on Tuesday that there is a narrative being pushed that unfairly blames farmers for stubble burning.
During his visit to Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Mishra emphasized that thermal power plants contribute to pollution levels that are 250 times greater than those caused by stubble burning, yet authorities are not addressing this issue.
“Attributing rising air pollution solely to stubble burning is a conspiracy against farmers. It is well-known that thermal plants are the primary source of air pollution, producing at least 250 times more than stubble burning. Why, then, are the authorities silent on this matter?” he questioned.
Mishra defended stubble burning as a traditional agricultural practice that enhances production efficiency. He argued that the narrative suggesting it decreases productivity is misleading and part of a broader conspiracy against farmers.
His remarks come in light of increasing concerns over air pollution, particularly in regions like Delhi-NCR, where air quality has reached alarming levels. Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, has also seen a decline in air quality year after year.
Madhya Pradesh has recently gained notoriety for having the highest number of stubble burning incidents in the country, with reports indicating that over 15,000 cases have been recorded this season—the highest in five years.
In response to the escalating stubble burning issue, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to various state and central authorities, including urban development, environment departments, and pollution control boards, demanding responses within four weeks.
Stubble burning, a common practice following the kharif harvest, allows farmers to save time and labor before planting rabi crops such as wheat and mustard.