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

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

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Chief Secretaries brief Mishra

Maintaining that he was personally monitoring situation with officers at district level, Chief Secretary of Punjab stated that hotspots had been identified. He observed that t only were First Information Reports (FIRs) were being registered, but also fines were being strictly imposed for violation of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. On or hand, Chief Secretary, Haryana mentioned that teams were working round clock to control cases of air pollution. She revealed that CM Mahar Lal Khattar had directed concerned officials to reduce cases of crop burning. According to Delhi Chief Secretary, water sprinkling had been intensified while dumping of garb in open had been stopped in national capital.

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Odd-Even scheme

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

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(With inputs from ncies)