• Delhi Pollution: Farm fires in Punjab are said to be the main reason behind polluted air in Delhi. Yesterday, the neighboring state reported 3,634 agricultural fires
With the spread of haze in the national capital Delhi, the demand for closure of schools has increased in view of the health of the children. According to the Central Pollution Control Board data, the air quality index (AQI) in the Delhi-NCR region remains in the "severe" category. The AQI remained over 450 in many areas of the city and levels above 400, affecting healthy people, severely impact those with existing diseases.
Expressing concern over the deteriorating air quality in Delhi, author and socialite Suhail Seth wrote, "What is happening with air pollution in Delhi is nothing short of a crime against humanity!"
What is happening with air pollution in Delhi is nothing less than a crime against humanity! I really want the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance of this and summon the Chief Minister of Delhi and his bright minister. There is a total collapse of accountability!
— Suhel Seth (@Suhelseth) November 3, 2022
At the same time, parents and environmentalists demanded closure of schools on social media.
Environmental activist Vimlendu Jha wrote on Twitter, "I know children don't vote for you, but still request all chief ministers of Delhi (capital region) to close all schools immediately." "Breathing at 500 AQI is not normal, not for our children, where every third child already has some pulmonary challenge."
I know it is not a solution, but unfortunately it is the only solution that can give some relief to our children suffering from air crisis. Request to @ArvindKejriwal to temporarily close the schools. Please sign the petition.
— vimlendu jha vimlendu jha (@vimlendu) November 3, 2022
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chairman Priyank Kanungo has also urged the Delhi government to consider closing the schools in the interest of children.
“The safety of school children is a matter of concern due to the alarming level of pollution in Delhi, so far no decision has been taken by the state government of Delhi. On the way to school, children are exposed to toxic air in playgrounds. This negligence is wrong, @NCPCR_ is issuing notice on this," Kanungo tweeted.
The NCPCR took cognizance of the poor air quality in Delhi, writing to the chief secretary asking the government to "consider closing schools till the national capital's air quality improves, keeping in view the best interest of children".
Along with this, Delhi BJP has also raised a similar demand. “Children are being affected the most as the pollution has reached a very serious level. Sending children in open ground or outside the house in such severe pollution is making them sick," Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta wrote in a letter to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena.
Farm fire in Punjab is being said to be the main reason behind the polluted air in Delhi. Yesterday, the neighboring state reported 3,634 farm fires.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, whose party also rules Punjab, where crop burning is rampant, said on Twitter that "the people of Punjab and Delhi are taking all steps at their level" to tackle pollution.
The capital this week called off most construction and demolition work to curb dust pollution and urged residents to share car and motorcycle travel, work from home and reduce the use of coal and firewood at home.
Kejriwal blamed the central government for the increasing incidents of stubble burning in Punjab and said it should resign if it cannot control air pollution.
He said that the Punjab Government has prepared a scheme to give a cash incentive of Rs 2500 per acre to the farmers so that they are not forced to burn the stubble.
"The Center rejected the proposal. They said they would not do anything for the farmers because of their opposition to the three agricultural laws," Kejriwal said.
He said that the Delhi government is making every effort to fight air pollution and strictly curbing pollution activities under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Similarly, the Punjab government has taken all necessary steps to prevent stubble burning.
"If the Center cannot control air pollution, it should resign. Then we will show how to do it," he said.
The Delhi and Punjab governments jointly sent a proposal to the Center in July to help provide cash incentives to farmers in the agrarian state for not burning stubble.
As per the proposal, Delhi and Punjab will give ₹500 each and the Center will contribute ₹1,500 per acre.
Farmers say the cash incentive can help them cover the cost of fuel used in operating machinery for in-situ management of paddy straw.
According to Punjab government officials, the Center rejected the proposal stating that it is providing subsidized machinery like happy seeder, rotavator and mulcher to farmers for in-situ management of paddy husk and to have There is no money for cash incentives.
Kejriwal said abusing him or the farmers in Punjab would not solve the problem of stubble burning.
No comments:
Post a Comment