Are Officials Being Warned Against Pollution Negligence in Delhi?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Coordination among departments is essential for effective pollution control.
- District Magistrates are to oversee local cleanliness efforts personally.
- Negligence by officials will not be tolerated.
- Advanced mist spray systems are being deployed in pollution hotspots.
- Compliance with the new directives is mandatory for all departments.
New Delhi, Dec 4 (NationPress) During a high-level meeting at Lok Niwas on Thursday, officials were cautioned against any negligence in the city’s battle against pollution. The meeting was chaired by Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
All departments have been urged to maintain continuous coordination to ensure that pollution is managed more effectively and consistently.
Chief Minister Gupta emphasized that negligence from any official or department regarding pollution control will not be accepted.
District Magistrates are required to personally supervise cleanliness and pollution-control efforts in their respective regions, she stated.
Among the attendees were Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma, and senior officials from relevant departments.
It was clearly stated that controlling dust in the capital is a top priority, she added.
The meeting also underscored that waste and debris significantly contribute to pollution. Consequently, departments were instructed to enhance their efforts in road cleaning and other related activities.
DDA officials were directed to ensure that their vacant lands in various areas of the capital are thoroughly cleared of waste and debris, and that such sites are not reused for dumping, according to a statement.
MCD officials were also tasked with launching an intensive cleanliness initiative across Delhi, utilizing additional measures to combat dust.
As per the Chief Minister, District Magistrates are now authorized to evaluate the Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) of government employees who exhibit negligence.
A separate review committee led by the Chief Secretary has been established to assess pollution-control measures on a daily basis and subsequently issue orders or advisories. Compliance with these directives will be mandatory for all departments.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the government's objective is to discover a permanent solution to pollution, ensuring that residents do not suffer now or in the future.
She highlighted the installation of mist spray systems in the ITO area as part of this commitment, having inspected them on Thursday.
Initial tests of the mist spray system have yielded positive outcomes. A comprehensive plan is now in development for their deployment across all major roads in Delhi.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister stated that the DPCC has been instructed to impose fines on government departments that neglect pollution-control efforts or cleanliness.
Additionally, FIRs will be lodged against government agencies that conduct roadworks without permissions or fail to restore the roads afterward.
The Chief Minister made it clear that the head of the respective department will be held accountable, asserting that no agency, whether governmental or private, would be exempt from repercussions for negligence.