On Wednesday, Virendra Sachdeva, Delhi BJP President, called for Minister Gopal Rai to step down for supporting the Aam Aadmi Party’s Punjab Government and giving false information about pollution from stubble burning to the people of Delhi.
Virendra Sachdeva stated that although Gopal Rai is the Environment Minister of Delhi, he appears to be more focused on supporting the Punjab government instead of prioritizing the well-being of the people of Delhi. He is responsible for covering up the errors of the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab.
Before the Aam Aadmi Party government was formed in Punjab, Arvind Kejriwal and Gopal Rai continuously criticized the Punjab government. Now that their government is in place, they are attempting to shift focus away from Punjab’s problems. He also mentioned that the Indian Agricultural Research Institute reported 1,581 cases of stubble burning in Punjab between September 15 and October 22.
Based on data from the previous year, this figure had grown to approximately 9000 by 2023. In spite of this, Gopal Rai steers clear of discussing it and mentions other states instead. The central government allocated Rs 3,300 crore to Haryana and Punjab in an effort to prevent stubble burning, however, the funds were not utilized effectively. The majority of the machines capable of solving these issues are currently sitting idle.
According to Virendra Sachdeva, stubble burning is the primary cause of Delhi’s escalating pollution levels. In the past decade, Gopal Rai and the Aam Aadmi Party government have caused a major pollution crisis in Delhi. In 2022, stubble burning occurred in 15.43 lakh hectares in Punjab, rising to 19 lakh hectares in 2023. However, Gopal Rai has not commented on these numbers.
He inquired about the amount spent on pollution control despite Delhi’s budget of Rs 76,000 crore. In accordance with the NCP, the central government allocated Rs 37 crore, with only 10 crore being utilized. This demonstrates the level of concern Gopal Rai and his administration have dedicated to this issue.
Virendra Sachdeva also mentioned that the deteriorating state of roads in Delhi is a significant factor contributing to the dust and pollution in the city. Pollution is on the rise because of the potholes present in the entire road network spanning 28,508 km. Respiratory issues are affecting kids and seniors in Delhi, yet Gopal Rai is ignoring the situation.
Chief Minister Atishi recently accused the BJP of being responsible for the rising ammonia levels in Yamuna. One of the causes for the rise in ammonia levels in the Yamuna is the inadequate operation of sewage treatment plants. All of this stems from the government’s shortcomings. If the government had made efforts to preserve Yamuna over the past decade, the outcome today would be unlike what it is.