Delhi minister writes to Capt, Khattar to act promptly

SAYS LAX APPROACH DESPITE APEX COURT’S INTERVENTION CANNOT BRING RESULTS IN EFFORTS TO CONTAIN POLLUTION

: Delhi environment minister Kailash Gahlot on Monday wrote to the chief ministers of Punjab and Haryana urging them for immediate action to stop stubble burning in their states.

Speaking to the media, Gahlot said that he also wrote to Union environment minister Prakash Jaavdekar over the issue and expressed displeasure as the meeting called by the Centre on November 9 on air pollution was not attended by the environment ministers from Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

“The major reason for the air pollution in the national capital is the stubble burning in the neighbouring states. Despite the Supreme Court’s intervention, the environment ministers of the four states did not attend the meeting,” Gahlot said.

In his letter, Gahlot urged two CMs to take action against stubble burning and promote technology to stop this practice.

Speaking to reporters, Gahlot said, “This lax approach cannot bring any positive results in the efforts to contain pollution. It is unfortunate that this has happened in spite of the strict directions from the Supreme Court and even after summoning the chief secretaries of the respective states by the apex court.”

“Delhi is witnessing increased levels of air pollution today and yesterday. Dust originating from the roads, particularly from unpaved roads is one of the major sources of pollution in Delhi. Mostly, these roads fall under MCDs. The empty land patches that create dust falls under DDA. Neither MCD commissioners nor DDA vice chairman and officials was present in the meet,” he said.