00:00Farmers in India are being blamed for the toxic smog choking New Delhi.
00:06Burning fields to clear stubble creates giant plumes of smoke that find their way to the
00:10capital and other parts of the country.
00:13It happens every year at the onset of winter, when farmers clear paddy fields to make way
00:17for planting wheat.
00:19But the growers say they shouldn't be blamed, as they have no alternative in the absence
00:23of government support.
00:27Jung Singh is a village head in Punjab state.
00:30He says small farmers can't afford alternative means, even though the burning is illegal.
00:37Though the government does subsidize machines that could clear the fields without fire,
00:41they remain unaffordable to most.
00:43There's also a long wait to rent the equipment.
00:46Besides the pollution, Punjab Farmers Union General Secretary Sarwan Singh says it's all
00:52a missed opportunity, with the stubble having potential uses, including energy generation.
01:00This month, Delhi has been battling air quality described as hazardous.
01:04Last week, pollution hit a peak of 494 on a scale to 500, prompting the government to
01:11limit vehicle movements and instruct schools to teach online.
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