Delhi air 'bad publicity': Surjit Bhalla mindful of where envoys live

Surjit Bhalla, India's representative to International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Monday commented upon worsening pollution crisis in country's national capital and said that it was damaging country's im. Bhalla said that pollution problem needs to be tackled with help of agricultural policies. He also added that since most diplomats live in capital, steps should have been taken early itself to address issue.

READ | CM Arvind Kejriwal: 'People Of Delhi Happily Accepted Odd-Even'

" point in denying problem," says Surjit Bhalla

While speaking to news ncy ANI on Monday, Surjit Bhalla said, " attention that we are getting as a country is bad attention. Out of two types of publicity present, this is definitely bad one. fact that most diplomats live in Delhi, steps should have been taken to tackle issue of pollution." 

He continued, " problem should t be denied. re is point. It is a problem for both, state and Centre and we need to address it. Let us t get into blame-calling. This is t created overnight. This is for last 25 years," he furr stated.

WATCH: Delhi CM Kejriwal Carpools With Colleagues As Odd-Even Begins

Bhalla furr said that country's agricultural policy has played an important role in increase in pollution. " HLAG report suggests that we are in favour of opening up agricultural sector and replacing PDS and procurement system. Stubble burning has massively increased pollution and it is surprising state governments have t cooperated," he added. 

CM Kejriwal says, "People of Delhi have happily accepted Odd-Even"

As Delhi government's odd-even road scheme, an anti-pollution measure, kicked in from 8 AM on Monday in National Capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that re was pollution crisis earlier but in 20 days pollution levels have risen suddenly because of stubble burning in neighbouring states. Kejriwal added that people of Delhi cant do anything about stubble burning but what is in ir hand is reducing pollution in Delhi due to vehicles and y have accepted Odd-Even scheme happily.

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(With ANI Inputs)