Delhi’s Air Pollution Crisis: Political Blame Game
Pawan Khera’s Criticism
Congress leader Pawan Khera criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for Delhi’s worsening air pollution. He accused the Delhi government of blaming neighboring states like Haryana instead of taking responsibility. Khera highlighted that Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated significantly over the past decade, undoing previous improvements.
Gopal Rai’s Response
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai responded by blaming the BJP governments in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and the central government for inaction. He noted that the slowing wind speed and dropping temperatures are worsening pollution. Rai mentioned a meeting to address pollution hotspots and criticized the BJP for not taking adequate measures.
BJP’s Stand
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla protested at a ‘Smog Tower’ in Delhi, accusing AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal of failing to deliver on promises to reduce pollution. Poonawalla claimed that Delhi has become a ‘gas chamber’ due to AAP’s ineffective policies and criticized the closure of a costly smog tower.
Current Air Quality
Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has fallen to the ‘Poor’ category, with a reading of 293. This level of pollution can cause breathing discomfort, and prolonged exposure may lead to respiratory issues.
Doubts Revealed
Pawan Khera -: Pawan Khera is a leader from the Indian National Congress, a major political party in India. He often speaks on behalf of the party on various issues.
AAP -: AAP stands for Aam Aadmi Party, a political party in India that governs Delhi. It was formed to fight against corruption and promote good governance.
Delhi’s Air Pollution -: Delhi’s air pollution is a serious problem caused by factors like vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and crop burning. It affects the health of people living in the city.
Haryana -: Haryana is a state in India that borders Delhi. Sometimes, pollution from Haryana can affect Delhi’s air quality.
Gopal Rai -: Gopal Rai is the Environment Minister of Delhi, responsible for managing environmental issues in the city.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, another major political party in India. It is currently the ruling party at the national level.
Shehzad Poonawalla -: Shehzad Poonawalla is a spokesperson for the BJP, who often represents the party’s views in public discussions.
Air Quality Index -: The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a number used to communicate how polluted the air is. A ‘Poor’ category means the air is unhealthy to breathe.