Data that stubble burning contributes just 10 per cent to Delhi pollution misleading: Kejriwal

A central government agency's claim that stubble burning in neighbouring states is responsible for only 10 per cent of the city's pollution is "misleading," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Wednesday.

SAFAR, the ministry of earth science's air quality and weather forecast service, had in a recent report said that the share of stubble burning in the PM 2.5 concentration in Delhi has remained less than 10 per cent so far.

PM 2.5 stands for particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter. Particles narrower than 10 micrometres are the most hazardous because they can get deep into the lungs, and some may even get into the bloodstream.

Kejriwal questioned the basis of the analysis and said it is "misleading".

"What is the basis of this. Real time source apportionment of pollution machines can only tell us what contributes to how much pollution and the Delhi government is trying to procure it. No one in India has that machine yet," Kejriwal told reporters.

In response to a question, he said, "These agencies should refrain from misleading people. These are very sensitive information and these agencies which are giving these details should act responsibly."