‘Kejriwal Allowed 1 Lakh Automobiles To Pollute…’: BJP Targets AAP Over CAG Report On Delhi Air High quality – News18
Final Up to date:
Delhi setting minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa accused AAP chief and former CM Arvind Kejriwal of permitting greater than 1.08 lakh automobiles to pollute the nationwide capital in change for bribes
The CAG report flagged lapses in Delhi’s air pollution management measures, saying the worsening air high quality has been exacerbated by them. (Picture: PTI/File)
The BJP on Tuesday hit out on the earlier AAP authorities led by Arvind Kejriwal for making half-hearted efforts to curb air air pollution in Delhi, alleging large-scale corruption beneath the previous chief minister. Delhi setting minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa accused Kejriwal of permitting multiple lakh automobiles to pollute the nationwide capital in change for bribes.
Sirsa’s feedback adopted a report by the Comptroller and Auditor Basic (CAG) on Delhi’s air air pollution, tabled by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta earlier than the meeting earlier within the day. The AAP has not but responded to those prices.
The CAG report flagged lapses in Delhi’s air pollution management measures, saying the worsening air high quality has been exacerbated by them. These embody lapses in its air pollution management mechanisms, together with irregularities within the issuance of PUC (air pollution beneath management) certificates, unreliable air high quality monitoring methods, and poor enforcement of air pollution management measures.
The minister blamed Kejriwal for Delhi’s worsening air high quality, which he alleged got here from his loot and remedy of ‘Sheeshmahal’. “Why was this report not tabled until now? It has grow to be clear why the opposition has run away from the Home. The opposition will not be within the Home as a result of the opposition will get a name from Mr Kejriwal. Mr Kejriwal has gone into despair and has gone to Punjab, so he isn’t capable of come out of the shock. He has gone to Punjab to return out of the shock,” he instructed reporters, as per information company ANI.
He alleged that 22.14 lakh air pollution checks had been performed in Delhi, however 1.08 lakh automobiles had been nonetheless issued PUC certificates, regardless of exceeding air pollution limits, in change for bribes. He additional alleged that the AAP authorities had destroyed DTC buses by way of scams, forcing crores to change to two-wheelers and identified that the bus fleet drastically shrank regardless of Rs 53 crore being pumped into the odd-even scheme.
“22.14 lakh air pollution checks had been carried out, and 1.08 lakh automobiles that had handed the PUC certificates exceeded the restrict, however they had been nonetheless given certificates after taking cash, which elevated air pollution in Delhi. So many scams occurred. How a lot cash would the Aam Aadmi Get together have made, 500 or 5,000 crore?” he questioned.
Based on the report, greater than 1.08 lakh automobiles had been issued PUC certificates regardless of them emitting carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) past permissible limits. In lots of circumstances, a number of automobiles had been issued certificates on the similar time, generally inside a minute of one another, the report mentioned. Between 2015 and 2020, almost 4,000 diesel automobiles that exceeded air pollution limits had been nonetheless licensed as compliant, permitting them to stay on the highway regardless of their excessive emission ranges, it added.
WHAT DOES THE CAG REPORT SAY?
The CAG report on ‘Vehicular Air Air pollution in Delhi’ highlighted main coverage gaps and weak enforcement and poor coordination amongst companies as key causes behind the worsening air pollution state of affairs in Delhi.
Out of the 14 CAG stories on the efficiency of the earlier AAP dispensation in Delhi, eight, together with on excise and well being, have been tabled within the meeting to this point by the BJP authorities, which assumed cost of Delhi after greater than 26 years following a landslide victory within the elections held on February 5.
The report mentioned town’s Steady Ambient Air High quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) don’t meet the necessities set by the Central Air pollution Management Board (CPCB), resulting in considerations about inaccuracies in air pollution management measures. The Air High quality Index (AQI) values reported day by day might not at all times replicate the precise air pollution ranges, making it tough for the authorities to reply successfully, it famous.
The report additional criticised the earlier AAP authorities for failing to conduct any real-time research to establish the precise sources of air pollution, an important step in formulating focused options. “Automobiles are one of many main native contributors to Delhi’s poor air high quality,” it mentioned.
The findings confirmed that whereas authorities have launched measures to regulate air pollution, poor enforcement and lack of coordination amongst companies prevented significant progress, as per the report. It additionally pointed to vehicular emissions, industrial air pollution, development mud, and stubble burning as major contributors to Delhi’s deteriorating air high quality. Moreover, improper waste disposal, biomass burning, and restricted inexperienced cowl additional irritate the state of affairs.
The report additional highlighted the federal government’s response and coverage gaps, mentioning that a number of insurance policies and motion plans existed however they lacked strict enforcement and interdepartmental coordination. It additionally highlighted the necessity for higher monitoring, stricter air pollution management measures, and improved public consciousness.
(With PTI inputs)
