NGT summons Centre amid rising pollution, asks for a 'better solution'

Amidst rising pollution crisis in the national capital, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday asked the Central government to come up with the best solution to deal with the issue and adopt a holistic approach. The direction comes after the tribunal examined the steps taken by the government to control air pollution and the status of implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The tribunal had also summoned the Delhi Chief Secretary, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Central Pollution Control Board Member Secretary, and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change before it on November 5. 

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Steps taken seem like disaster management: NGT

Pulling up the Centre on the steps taken by it to curb pollution, NGT said, "What is the reason that the government has not been able to work out a system to prevent the rise in air pollution? The steps that are being taken currently seem like steps for disaster management." It also said that instead of just dealing with the problem to curb the pollution, a holistic approach needs to be taken and prevention methods need to be revisited. 

In response, the Central government said that it has been taking preventive measures to curb pollution. "Meetings have been held and around Rs 1150 crores have been given to each state. Last year we provided around 15,000 machines and this year we have given out a total of 50,000 machines," it stated. The Centre also added that ground-level farmers needed a major push and municipal and industrial waste burning needs to be controlled as it contributes to over 60% of the pollution. The NGT also argued that the construction ban has rendered labourers unemployed. 

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Delhi CM blames stubble burning for rising pollution

As Delhi government's Odd-Even scheme, an anti-pollution measure, kick-started from 8 am on Monday in the national capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that in the last 20 days pollution levels have risen suddenly because of the stubble burning in the neighbouring states. He added that the people of Delhi are doing their bit in reducing vehicular pollution by accepting Odd-Even scheme; however, they cannot do anything about stubble burning. 

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(With ANI Inputs)