Centre, Delhi govt cannot shy away from responsibility: Cong

New Delhi : The Congress on Thursday accused the Centre and the Delhi government of failing to take effective steps to check the high pollution level in the city and asked how they intended to combat the situation in the long-run.

The party attacked the two governments saying they cannot shy away from their responsibilities by blaming farmers from neighbouring Haryana and Punjab.

Stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring states has been cited as a key reason for the current high level of pollution in the city.

“The central and Delhi governments are responsible for the pollution (levels) in Delhi. They cannot shy away from their responsibilities by blaming farmers,” Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala told reporters here.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark that India is committed to Paris Climate Change Accord, Surjewala asked if “he could see the change in climate in the national capital”.

He sought to know what steps the Centre has taken to facilitate farmers so that they are able to dispose of stubble without burning it.

Surjewala said toxins emanating from vehicles and construction activities are major contributors to the Delhi’s air pollution level and demanded to know what measures the two governments have taken to curb it.

The air quality declined to alarming levels over the last three days as a thick grey smog enveloped the region, prompting the city government to shut schools till Sunday, halt construction activities and ban entry of trucks in the city.