PMO reviews measures taken by states to combat air pollution in Delhi

The Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi PK Mishra on Monday conducted a review of the measures taken by the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi to combat the menace of air pollution. The Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Delhi, and Haryana participated in the meeting. Mishra sought details from them regarding the measures taken in cases of fire and crop burning in the last 24 hours. Focusing on the need to pre-empt the situation, he opined that a mechanism for immediate action had to be created. Furthermore, he also appreciated the efforts of everyone in this regard.  

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Chief Secretaries brief Mishra

Maintaining that he was personally monitoring the situation with officers at the district level, the Chief Secretary of Punjab stated that the hotspots had been identified. He observed that not only were First Information Reports (FIRs) were being registered, but also fines were being strictly imposed for the violation of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. On the other hand, the Chief Secretary, Haryana mentioned that the teams were working round the clock to control the cases of air pollution. She revealed that CM Manohar Lal Khattar had directed the concerned officials to reduce the cases of crop burning. According to the Delhi Chief Secretary, water sprinkling had been intensified while dumping of garbage in the open had been stopped in the national capital.

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The Odd-Even scheme

The meeting assumes significance at a juncture when the pollution levels in Delhi have reached alarming heights. The Delhi government led by CM Arvind Kejriwal has undertaken the Odd-Even scheme to reduce air pollution from Monday until November 15. Women-driven vehicles, cars ferrying school children, taxis, ministers of the Central government have been exempted from the ambit of this scheme. 

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(With inputs from agencies)