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All SDMs to hold meeting with RWAs, market associations, and other eminent figures – generate awareness among the people of Delhi: Gopal Rai
India
healthysoch
New Delhi, October 22, 2021 :
The Kejriwal Government is leaving no stone unturned in its fight against pollution and is accelerating the process by empowering SDMs to take action in that direction, informed Environment Minister Gopal Rai. He announced the crucial role to be taken by SDMs to implement the government’s plans. He stressed on the need to increase public participation by means of awareness meetings regarding the CM’s 10 Point Winter Action Plan, the three appeals to the people of Delhi and other mechanisms to tackle pollution at individual levels. Meetings with RWAs, market associations, and other eminent figures to be held by SDMs in order to generate awareness among the people of Delhi.
With Diwali season approaching, the SDMs have been authorised to take direct action and seize illegal sales of firecrackers. People of Delhi are urged to also report any illegal use on the Green Delhi App. Delhi Government’s motto is to brighten the festival with diyas this Diwali, and not let the pollution by crackers dim the light.
Environment Minister Gopal Rai stresses on the use of technology and public participation to fight pollution in Delhi*
Addressing the fight against pollution in Delhi, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, “to make the fight more impactful, the Delhi Government is focusing on public participation on one hand and introducing new technologies on the other. As we all know a pilot project of the smog tower installed in Connaught Place was established by the Delhi government. It is being regularly monitored by scientists of IIT Delhi and Bombay, of which every three months a report is being submitted for the government to decide its effectiveness.
Until 10 days ago, AQI levels in Delhi were safe. Suddenly after stubble burning they have increased at an alarming speed. Naturally it is assumed that the reason for this is the stubble burning as NASA imagery shows a proportional increase in pollution levels. However, it is not the only factor responsible for this increase. Other factors will also be identified with new technology and dealt with.”
Delhi Government working actively on four major fronts to accelerate public participation in curbing pollution levels in Delhi
Gopal Rai explained, “This time the Delhi Government is focusing on increasing public participation in the fight against pollution. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged the people of Delhi to curb their individual pollution levels. For ground level implementation, we had a meeting with all the SDMs of Delhi and DPCC engineers.
Broadly we are working on four fronts to stop pollution in Delhi: First, the Anti-dust campaign to tackle dust pollution; second, vehicle pollution is being curbed through the ‘Red Light On, Gaadi Off’ campaign; third, bio-decomposers are being used throughout Delhi to minimise the incoming pollution from stubble; and fourth, use of Green Delhi App is being encouraged to involve the people of Delhi and address pollution complaints through the green war room.”
All 33 SDMs of Delhi given instructions and power to increase public participation in fight against pollution; to encourage and sensitise the people of Delhi
The Environment Minister continued, “To accelerate these four public participation initiatives, the 33 SDMs in Delhi have been empowered to take responsibility in addition to the DPCC officers and will help the government further the fight against air pollution. To implement this, two major decisions have been taken today – one, that all SDMs in the 33 zones of Delhi are to hold meetings with respective RWAs, NGOs, market associations, and other eminent organisations and figures on 28th and 29th October. They will train and sensitize them towards the current status and ways to tackle air pollution in Delhi.
The meetings will include explanation and discussion of the 10 Point Winter Action Plan announced by the CM and additionally encourage the 3 appeals he made; that are, complying with the ‘Red Light On Gaadi Off’ campaign, not using your personal vehicle once a week, and increasing the use of Green Delhi App among the attendees. The meetings held by the SDMs will provide all attending RWAs with the target of holding awareness meetings in their respective localities on 31st October, Sunday. A specific template is to be followed – especially including discussion of pollution caused by burning of waste, dust, vehicular pollution, and the requirement of PUC certificates to keep their emissions in check – in addition to the 3 appeals by the Chief Minister.”
Environment Minister gives the motto ‘Diwali Manao, Pollution Bhagao’; SDMs given power to take action against illegal sale of crackers
Elaborating on the second monumental decision taken by the Delhi Government, Gopal Rai explained that, “As Diwali approaches, the government has issued a complete ban on fire-crackers to curb pollution. However, reports of illegal storage and sales have been reported – hence all SDMs have been instructed today to organise anti cracker campaigns all throughout Delhi. They have been empowered to take action and seize items along with the police.
They have been ordered to not harass the public and focus on illegal sales instead. On 25th October, a joint meeting has been scheduled with the police force to deal with the expected pollution as a result of Diwali celebrations. Many people might accuse the government of ‘not letting us celebrate Diwali’ – to them I would say that ‘Diye Se Diwali Hoti Hai, Patakhe Se Pollution Hota Hai’ — Diwali is celebrated with Diyas while crackers cause pollution.”
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