Khattar requests Javadekar to call meeting to address pollution issue

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday wrote to Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar requesting him to convene a meeting of chief ministers of Delhi and neighbouring states to prepare a joint strategy to address the problem of severe pollution in the National Capital Region. Without naming anyone, Khattar also criticised the "growing tendency" on the part of some stakeholders to "play petty politics" on the issue. The chief minister, in a telephonic conversation with Javadekar earlier in the day, requested him to convene a meeting, preferably on Sunday, to prepare a well-thought-out strategy that would synergise the efforts of different organisations and the governments in the region. "The ongoing public health emergency in NCR is a matter of serious concern for all of us," he said.

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To alleviate the suffering of people, there is a need for coordinating the efforts of all the stakeholders to tackle the issue in a more sensitive and responsible manner, Khattar said in an official statement. He said as no single person, organisation or government can improve the quality of air in the NCR, "playing politics" on this serious situation is unfortunate and, in itself, a matter of concern. Following up on his conversation with a letter, Khattar said the meeting of all chief ministers and environment ministers of the states concerned would help evolve an actionable plan and a joint strategy to address the serious situation and to mitigate the suffering and hardships of people.

READ: Kejriwal to Hry, Punjab & Centre: Fix timeline to end stubble burning

Kejriwal demands specific timelines

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said that Delhi now wants specific timelines from the governments of Punjab, Haryana and the Centre for stopping rampant stubble burning. Addressing a press conference, CM Kejriwal said, "The only thing that changed in one month (September-October) is smoke flowing to Delhi due to stubble burning... The people of Delhi are fed up of pollution and want specific timelines from the Captain (Amarinder Singh) government (Punjab), Khattar government (Haryana) and the Centre. Tell us by when can you make stubble burning stop." Kejriwal added, "Tell us by when can you provide the technology and machines (to stop stubble burning) to the farmers of Punjab and Haryana. You are answerable too. The people of Delhi want specific timeline and milestones on this issue."

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READ: Khattar encourages farmers to refrain from stubble burning in Haryana