In the aftermath of the city’s air quality remaining ‘very bad quality,’ the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chairperson Priyank Kanoongo sent a notice to Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP government on Wednesday for continued neglect to the issue of pollution.
“The safety of school children is a matter of concern due to the dangerous level of pollution in Delhi, so far the state government of Delhi has not taken any decision on this. Children are in the wrath of toxic air in schools, and in playgrounds. This negligence is wrong. NCPCR is issuing a notice,” Priyank Kanoongo tweeted in Hindi.
The air quality in Delhi continued to remain in the ‘very poor’ category on Wednesday morning as the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city stood at 354. Noida, which is part of the national capital region, slipped to an AQI of 406, and continued to remain in the ‘severe’ category, while Gurugram’s AQI stood at 346 and continued to remain in the ‘very poor category, as per data released by SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research) India.
“People” of Delhi are responsible for bad air quality of the national capital, said Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday.
“I appeal to people if possible work from home and avoid taking out private vehicles. 50% of the pollution is from vehicles. People shouldn’t burst crackers,” Rai told reporters here. The air quality in the national capital continued to remain in the ‘very poor’ category on Wednesday morning as the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city stood at 354.
The burning of agricultural waste in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, according to analysts , is one of the primary reasons for the rising air pollution in the region.
“Stubble burning in Punjab is happening due to Centre as they didn’t support Punjab govt, farmers to stop it” added Gopal Rai, the Environment Minister in the AAP-led Delhi government.
