Under Attack For Failing To Address Poor Air Quality, AAP Government Blames Officials, Accuses Them of Disobeying Orders

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai, announced a startling development in the ongoing battle against the city's air pollution crisis.

Rai revealed that Ashwani Kumar, Chairman of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), had abruptly halted an essential real-time study aimed at identifying the sources of air pollution in Delhi, as reported by The Hindu.

Rai strongly criticised Kumar's decision, labeling it as "anti-people" and alleging that it contradicted a prior decision made by the Delhi cabinet to initiate the study last year.

During a press conference, Rai disclosed a series of steps he intended to take in response to this move.

"We have sent a note to the Chief Minister, urging the suspension of Ashwani Kumar as the DPCC chairman and the initiation of disciplinary action against him,” Rai explained.

The study, aimed at understanding the real-time causes of pollution and devising appropriate strategies to combat it, was initially estimated to cost Rs 12.7 crore.

This development unfolds against the backdrop of an ongoing power struggle between the AAP government and the Central government-appointed Lieutenant-Governor over control of the bureaucracy within the Delhi government.

Revenue Minister Atishi, speaking at the same press conference, highlighted the repeated obstruction by officers of the Delhi government in executing initiatives beneficial to the public.

Atishi emphasised, "This is not the first time that Delhi government's officers have stopped pro-people works. Since the GNCTD Amendment Act and the GNCTD Amendment Ordinance were introduced, decisions aimed at benefiting the people have been continuously thwarted by these officers."

The conflict escalated with the Central government's issuance of an ordinance on 19 May, effectively amending the Government of National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi Act, 1991.

This ordinance overturned a 11 May Supreme Court judgment that had granted the AAP government the authority to enact laws and exercise control over bureaucrats assigned to the Delhi government.