Govt Bought 140 Air Purifiers For PMO & Other Ministries Between 2014-17 But Nothing For #ChokingCapital Till Now.
The Prime Minister, who misses no opportunity to tweet and make public speeches, has also so far ignored to directly address the pollution crisis in Delhi and the rest of the Indo-Gangetic plain.
New Delhi houses most important offices in the country. From Rashtrapati Bhawan to Prime Ministers Office every place is located in the national capital. Amid deadly pollution there is a conscious effort to find ways to keep these places safe of the top brass of the state.
FILE PHOTO. QZ
According to news agency Reuters, as pollution was choking India's capital, a total of 140 air purifiers were purchased for Prime Minister's offices and at least six other government agencies. Reuters reported that the purchases came as PM Modi faced criticism for not taking effective steps to improve air quality in Delhi, one of the world's most polluted cities.
The central government had spent 3.6 million rupees, or about $55,000, to buy air purifiers for Modi's offices and at least six central departments between 2014 and 2017, according to government data reviewed by Reuters.
Needless to mention, these air purifiers have been bought from the tax payer¡¯s money. One should also note that safe air quality was ensured for the Prime Minister¡¯s offices way before it reached the toxic levels this year. However, while the PM¡¯s office is apparently concerned about his health, there is almost nothing that it has done to bring down pollution levels in the Capital.
BCCL
After the Supreme Court lashed out at authorities for failing to curb severe air pollution in the Delhi and its surrounding areas, Modi reportedly directed the Union Agriculture Ministry to give priority to farmers of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana in distributing equipment to prevent stubble burning while continuing to refrain from commenting directly on the issue.
On Wednesday, as the Capital chokes with AQI entering the severe level once again the Prime Minister is in Brazil to attend the key BRICS Summit. The odd-even scheme, which is helping bring down pollution level to some extent, was grossly opposed by one of his party¡¯s key leaders in Delhi, Vijay Goel, who violated the scheme on the very first day.
A Traffic police man slaps a challan to BJP leader Vijay Goel for violating the odd-even rule. BCCL
The Prime Minister maintained his silence here too. Not that other leaders have come forward to tackle the situation with sincerity, but the onus is on Modi because he is the Prime Minister of the country, whose capital is choking against the backdrop of toxic pollution levels.
