AAP approaches Modi over IAS officers' 'strike'
New Delhi, June 14: Delhi's ruling AAP on Thursday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention to end the "strike" by the IAS officers as there has been no communication from the Lt Governor's office over the sit-in protest by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues.
The sit-in by Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Cabinet ministers Satyendar Jain and Gopal Rai at the Lt. Governor's office entered its fourth day on Thursday, after which Kejriwal wrote to Modi urging him to intervene in the matter of the "strike" by the IAS officers, accusing Lt Governor Anil Baijal of doing "nothing" in this regard.
In the letter, Kejriwal informed Modi the officers have not been attending meetings with ministers for the past three months and cited instances when the government work was affected.
He also said that he hope Modi will allow them to work for the people of Delhi, adding that "no one should be allowed to trample upon people's will".
Recalling former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he said: "I hope sir that Modiji will also follow in the footsteps of Atalji, respect people's will and allow opposition-ruled states to work for the people."
On social media, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has launched a campaign #ModjiForgiveDelhi. Party members, by posting videos, are requesting Modi to let the elected government work by asking the IAS officers to join back the work.
Social Welfare and SC/ST Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam, in his video, said: "Modiji, don't take revenge from the people. Please ask your IAS officers to join back the work."
Durgesh Pathak, in-charge of the National Organisation Building Team, also posted a video saying: "Modiji, Namaste. We know that people of Delhi had defeated you very badly in the election. And you are just taking revenge from the people. This is not right. There will be elections after two years. You can contest that election. Do some good, positive work. Please ask your IAS officers to join back the work."
Atishi Marlena, who served as an advisor on education to the Delhi government for three years, said in a video: "Namaste Modiji. The people of Delhi are upset. You have ordered the strike by the IAS officers. The work related to de-silting of drains is not able to complete due to this strike. the monsoon is approaching, the roads will be flooded. So we are requesting you to order the IAS officers to call off the strike."
Similarly, Sisodia's former media advisor Arunoday Prakash and other people from the party also posted their videos.
AAP leader Dilip Pandey, in his video, asked Modi to not punish the people of Delhi.
"Punish us the way you want, but don't punish the people of Delhi. Your officers are not working, due to which the work is affected...Please ask your IAS officers to join back the work," he said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Delhi's air quality deteriorates to 'severe plus' category, GRAP 4 pollution curbs kick in
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi's air quality worsened to the 'severe plus' category on Monday with the city recording an AQI of 484. Tighter pollution control measures, including a ban on truck entry and suspension of construction at public projects, came into force in the morning.
The dense toxic smog caused visibility to drop sharply in the morning.
According to officials, visibility at Safdarjung airport was 150 metres.
Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 484, the worst this season, at 8 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The AQI was 441 at 4 pm on Sunday and rose to 457 by 7 pm due to unfavourable weather conditions.
With the AQI crossing 450, the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas ordered the implementation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV restrictions in Delhi-NCR.
According to the order, no trucks will be allowed into Delhi except for those carrying essential items or using clean fuel (LNG/CNG/BS-VI diesel/electric).
Non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi will also be prohibited, except for EVs and CNG and BS-VI diesel ones.
Delhi-registered BS-IV or older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles are banned, except for those in essential services, the order said.
All construction activities, including highways, roads, flyovers, power lines, pipelines and other public projects, have been suspended.
The CAQM recommended that offices in the National Capital Region (NCR) work at 50 per cent capacity, with the rest working from home.
The Delhi government asked all schools to discontinue physical classes for all students, except those in classes 10 and 12, from Monday.
An AQI of 400 or higher is deemed 'severe' and it can have an adverse effect on both healthy individuals and people who already have medical conditions.
First implemented in 2017, the GRAP is a set of anti-air pollution measures followed in the capital and its vicinity according to the severity of the situation.
It classifies the air quality in the Delhi-NCR under four different stages: Stage 1 - 'poor' (AQI 201-300), Stage 2 - 'very poor' (AQI 301-400), Stage 3 - 'severe' (AQI 401-450) and Stage 4 - 'severe plus' (AQI above 450).
Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 16.2 degrees Celsius, 3.9 degrees above normal. The maximum temperature is expected to settle at 27 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The weather department has predicted very dense fog during the day.
