CAG audit to help Delhi keep pollution tabs

According to sources, during a meeting with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on February 25, Sharma had expressed concern over the national Capital’s rising pollution levels. He also assured support to the government to ascertain reasons causing rise in the pollution level through a proper audit.

Kejriwal and CAG’s meeting aimed to discuss the current status of the Discom audit. However, they also talked about Delhi’s increasing pollution level. Sharma reportedly told Kejriwal that some initiatives needed to be taken to check the problem. Suggestive punitive measures against those involved in violating green norms were also discussed.

Recently, following Union Minister Prakash Javadekar’s remarks to check air pollution in the national Capital, Kejriwal had said that combating the environmental menace should be a priority for all concerned and must not become a subject of political wrangling. 

A few days after Kejriwal’s meeting with Sharma, Delhi Environment Minister Asim Ahmed sent an action plan to improve the Capital’s air quality to the 

Union Ministry. In recent years, the number of chest infection cases in Delhi and NCR has increased “worryingly” and even Kejriwal had to go for a detoxification programme in Bangalore last month due to cough.