Stubble burning: Kejriwal to meet Khattar in Chandigarh

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said that he was looking forward to meet Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. "Khattar jee accepted, he is in Delhi till Tuesday, says he is very busy and can not meet me in Delhi. He has asked me to come to Chandigarh on Wednesday. I look forward to meeting him in Chandigarh on Wednesday," tweeted Kejriwal.

While accepting Kejriwal's appeal for a meeting on the issue, Khattar stated that he was available in New Delhi on November 13 and 14 for a meeting and thereafter in Chandigarh to discuss the issue. It is pertinent to mention that Kejriwal had written a letter to Punjab and Haryana chief ministers to discuss the issue of stubble burning.

The practice of burning of crop residue by farmers of the two states have been blamed for the toxic smog enveloping the region during the winter season every year.

In a letter to Kejriwal, released to media on Monday, Khattar said that a constructive mindset was required to deal with the issue of stubble burning by farmers and everyone had a role to play in this regard. "Unfortunately, your letter contains no hint of such a mindset. In fact, your reference to the helplessness of farmers in Punjab and Haryana in stubble burning betrays an inability to rise above short term electoral interests.