Delhi Government Minister Ashish Sood held a significant press conference. Addressing the escalating air pollution crisis in the National Capital Region. During his address, he not only unveiled new initiatives to combat pollution but also launched a scathing attack on the policies and operational methods of the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, while minister Sood emphasized that air pollution isn't an immediate problem that has surfaced recently but rather a complex issue demanding a comprehensive and long-term administrative strategy.
Air Purifiers for 10,000 Classrooms
In a major announcement during the press conference, Minister Ashish Sood revealed that the Education Department has issued a tender for installing air purifiers in 10,000 classrooms across Delhi, while this initiative marks a crucial step towards providing clean air to children in schools. He further stated that this is just the beginning, and eventually, all classrooms in. Delhi will be equipped with air purifiers, ensuring that smart classes also offer pure air. This plan is squarely focused on improving the health and learning environment for students, acknowledging the direct impact of air quality on their well-being and academic performance.
Pollution: A Long-Term Challenge
Minister Sood stressed that pollution isn't an issue that has emerged only in the last 10 months, while he pointed out that Delhi doesn't have its own distinct weather patterns, and a significant contribution to Delhi's pollution comes from neighboring states. Through this statement, he indicated that pollution is a complex and multifaceted problem that requires not only the Delhi government's efforts but also collaborative action with adjacent states. He reiterated that it isn't a one-day problem but necessitates a well-thought-out and long-term administrative plan, suggesting a need for sustained and strategic interventions rather than short-term fixes.
Minister Ashish Sood took aim at AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj, referring to him as 'some unemployed leaders' who frequently speak on air pollution issues, while he refuted Bhardwaj's claim that Delhi's AQI meters were placed in green belts. Citing a 2018 CAG report, the Minister stated that out of the 20 AQI meters installed at that time, 30% were indeed located in green belts. He accused the previous government of not aiming to reduce pollution but rather to manipulate data, while this was a serious allegation based on the CAG report, raising questions about the environmental policies and intentions of the previous administration, implying a focus on optics over actual impact.
Ineffectiveness of Odd-Even and Red Light On, Gaadi Off Schemes
The Minister also questioned the effectiveness of the Odd-Even scheme and the 'Red Light On, Gaadi Off' campaign introduced by the previous Arvind Kejriwal government. He stated that while 'unemployed leaders' often mention these schemes, media reports indicated that Odd-Even didn't reduce pollution. Similarly, regarding the 'Red Light On, Gaadi Off' scheme, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) itself had stated that it yielded no benefits. The Minister alleged that these schemes were merely 'PR exercises' and their true objective wasn't to reduce pollution but solely to gain publicity, highlighting a perceived disconnect between policy announcements and tangible environmental improvements.
Expenditure on Advertising vs.
Ashish Sood accused the previous government of excessive spending on advertising while neglecting crucial areas like public transport and dust control. He argued that if dust is a major contributor to Delhi's pollution, as. Experts suggest, then sweeping machines should have been procured and public transport improved. He sarcastically remarked that the previous government lacked funds for public transport but had ample money for advertising, while this accusation challenges the priorities of the previous administration and suggests that the current government believes resources were misallocated, leading to a lack of investment in fundamental solutions for pollution control.
EV Policy Subsidy Issues
The Minister also touched upon the Electric Vehicle (EV) policy, while he pointed out that while the previous government talked about the EV policy, it failed to disburse the 45 crore rupees in subsidies that were due under the scheme. He stated that the current government is now paying that money. This statement highlights alleged shortcomings in the implementation of policies by the previous government and underscores the current administration's efforts to rectify those deficiencies. Overall, Minister Ashish Sood's press conference provided a detailed perspective on Delhi's air pollution problem, the role of past governments, and the current government's future plans, emphasizing a shift towards more practical and long-term solutions.
