File shows odd-even plan in Delhi not okayed by minister: LG’s office; Gopal Rai objects

NEW DELHI: The lieutenant governor's secretariat on Tuesday alleged that the odd-even rule announced by Delhi government to fight air pollution post-Diwali was an attempt to "mislead" people and courts and "divert attention" from the ongoing crisis caused by air pollution in the city, a charge that was refuted by environment minister Gopal Rai
The LG's office claimed that the file sent by Delhi government showed that the decision to implement the odd-even scheme as part of measures under Stage IV of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was not even approved by Rai."Subsequently, CM Arvind Kejriwal's office conveyed his approval to deferring a decision on odd-even plying of vehicles as proposed by Gopal Rai, since the CM was out of town," said an official at the LG's secretariat.
Rai, however, said the decision to implement the rule was taken on November 6 and could not have been mentioned in the file that reached the LG on November 4. He said it was only on the basis of the file that was sent to the LG that Commission for Air Quality Management decided to implement GRAP IV on November 5.
"CM Kejriwal called a meeting at Delhi Secretariat on air pollution on November 6 where the decision to implement the odd-even rule from November 13 to 20 was taken. How can the file that reached the LG on November 4 could have the plan mentioned in it?" Rai asked, adding that the file recommending the plan would be sent by the transport department soon.
The LG's office said that in the file, the minister had approved discontinuation of physical classes in schools, suggestion of all public, municipal and private offices working with 50% strength, and closure of all educational institutions and non-emergency commercial activities. Though the vehicle rationing norm was mentioned, it was not approved by the minister concerned and the chief minister, saying they wanted to take advice from "experts" before implementing it, the LG's office added.
"The file clearly shows that the decision to implement the scheme as part of measures under GRAP IV was not approved by minister Gopal Rai. Subsequently, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's office conveyed his approval to deferring a decision... as proposed by Gopal Rai since the CM was out of town," the official said.
The LG's secretariat, the official said, flagged this "deliberate misrepresentation". He added, "The LG desired that the lackadaisical indifference and callousness in dealing with this file of critical importance be conveyed to the chief minister."
In the note to the CM's office, the LG's secretariat observed the file was sent on November 4, "even as public announcements regarding the order for implementation of actions under GRAP IV had already been made in the media, and the order was issued on November 5". The official said, "In light of these, the announcements in the media amount to misleading people as also the courts who are monitoring the situation arising out of air pollution in the city."