BJP Slams AAP Over Unused Pollution Control Funds

The BJP has accused the AAP government in Delhi of not utilizing funds allocated by the central government for pollution control. They demand a white paper documenting the effort while AAP defends its stance by highlighting a 31% reduction in pollution levels and criticizes the central government's approach.

The BJP accused the AAP government in Delhi on Saturday of failing to utilise the special fund received from the central government for pollution control, and demanded a white paper on it.

This failure is a testament to the ''criminal negligence'' of the Kejriwal government, leaders of the opposition party in Delhi said at a press conference.

The AAP, however, refuted the allegations, claiming consistent efforts to reduce pollution by the Delhi government, pointing out a 31% reduction as acknowledged by the BJP-led central government in Parliament. ''However, the central government has stopped Delhi's share from the Centre's pool of taxes. When we demanded the rightful share for Delhiites, who pay Rs 2.07 lakh crores in taxes, the BJP responded with unfounded allegations, once again demonstrating its step-motherly treatment,'' it said.

At the Delhi BJP press conference, leaders demanded the city government present a white paper detailing pollution control efforts over the past nine-and-a-half years. ''This is not just an allegation by the BJP, but a report by the WHO that Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world,'' South Delhi MP Ramveer Singh Bidhuri said.

New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj said the central government allocated Rs 742.69 crore to the Delhi government under the National Clean Air Programme, but Kejriwal's government has only spent 29.5% of it. She also sought a reply from the government on why 70% of the fund lay unused.

The Kejriwal-led AAP retorted by questioning why the central government was withholding Delhi's share of funds. ''We are continuously working for the betterment of Delhiites, while Delhi's LG has caused significant harm by cutting down trees in the city's eco-sensitive zones. The BJP remains silent on this grave environmental issue,'' it said.

They further criticized the central government's actions to seize control of the MCD through backdoor means after losing the elections, stating this has hindered the execution of projects over Rs 5 crores. Senior BJP leader Arvinder Singh Lovely noted that the AQI level in Delhi is concerning, especially with the upcoming winter season.

The AAP responded by highlighting their long-term measures like converting CNG-run industries to PNG and inducting electric buses. BJP president Virendra Sachdeva alleged that the Kejriwal government has not spent even one-third of the allocated fund, making Delhi a polluted capital city.