Officials of environment and forest departments said that the Delhi government did not consult them before making the announcement to distribute 50-60 lakh anti-pollution masks and saplings to households. The plan, announced on Friday last, has left them in a fix over how to execute it.
While forest department officials said that survival rate of saplings will be less as monsoon (planting season) is almost over, officials of environment department said that they are yet to decide on how to distribute the masks and saplings.
“No decision has been taken on exactly which mask would be procured or how it would be distributed. We were not consulted before the announcement was made. But since then there have been multiple meetings on the issue,” an official told The Hindu .
“Just in case of distribution of masks, a lot of decisions have to be made and then we have to procure them through a tendering process,” the official added.
Environment Minister Kailash Gaholt is scheduled to chair another meeting on the issue on Thursday.
Asked about the decision, Dialogue and Development Commission Vice-Chairperson Jasmine Shah said: “Work is in progress. At this time we cannot share further details.” When asked why the plans were not discussed with departments concerned before the Chief Minister made the announcement, Mr. Shah refused to comment.
On Friday, the Chief Minister had announced a seven-point programme to fight air pollution, including introduction of odd-even vehicle rationing scheme and distribution of masks and saplings.
Mr. Kejriwal had said that “50-60 lakh” N95 anti-pollution masks will be procured and distributed in October. He had also said that the government would conduct a “Delhi Tree Challenge”
“We are aiming at planting a total of 40 lakh saplings in the next six months under the campaign. For those who can’t afford one, they can call at a number and the government will deliver them a sapling,” an official statement had said.
