Political fight breaks out over Delhi smog, Centre, Congress blame Kejriwal

New Delhi: As Delhi continues to reel under heavy smog, the Centre slammed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, stating that only 20% of pollution in the city was due to activities in other states.

The AAP government including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had earlier blamed crop burning in Delhi’s neighbouring states for the heavy smog and pollution in Delhi which is causing breathing problems and has led to schools shutting down.

Central Environment Minister Anil Dave said that 80 per cent of Delhi’s pollution was the result of garbage burning in the city. He claimed that by blaming other states, AAP was politicising the issue.

Dave called on AAP to come out of the 'blame game mindset'.

"What help do they need? Tell us. We have provided help time to time. But implementation is state's responsibility," Dave said.

However, Dave defended Kejriwal’s decision to call a Delhi Cabinet meeting at 12:30 pm on Sunday.

Technologies like jet sprinkling and the dust sweep machine will be discussed at length during the meeting to be held at Kejriwal's residence.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday rubbished Kejriwal’s allegations that pollution in Delhi was a result of stubble burning in Punjab, among other states.

Badal said that farmers in Punjab have been provided with mechanised farm equipments. However, he admitted that some farmers may still resort to the old technique of crop burning.

The Centre has called a meeting of Environment Ministers of all neighbouring states on Monday to put an end to crop burning.

Meanwhile, Congress party on Sunday alleged that it has become the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's habit to blame others for everything.

Congress leader Tom Vadakkan told ANI there is an element of some kind of problem from the neighbouring state but charity has to begin from the house.

"The Environment Department of the Delhi state should be more activated and the Health Minister should be more active. There are issues concerning Delhi which need to be immediately taken into consideration, emergency steps must be taken. Yes, they can talk to the neighbouring states through the Central Government but to blame the entire thing on the neighbouring states is not fair," he said.