A fresh controversy erupted after Lieutenant Governor(LG) VK Saxena’s office on Tuesday accused the Arvind Kejriwal Government of misleading and diverting the court’s attention from the worsening air pollution in the national Capital and said no decision has been taken to introduce the odd even scheme so far. A statement from the Raj Niwas said “The file to this effect clearly shows that the decision to implement odd-even scheme as a part of measures under GRAP-IV, was not approved by Minister (Environment) Gopal Rai. Subsequently, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s office conveyed his approval to deferring a decision on odd-even plying of vehicles, as proposed by Gopal Rai, since the Chief Minister was out of town.”  Rai  on Monday announced that the odd-even scheme will be enforced in the city from November 13 to 20.

 Elaborating on the odd-even scheme, the statement said the file pertaining to the matter in its  para 158.2 proposed for physical classes for all classes up to class-XI to be discontinued and lessons to be conducted online and all public, municipal and private offices to work on 50% strength.

 Also, all colleges / educational institutions and non-emergency commercial activities to be closed. Vehicles to run on odd-even basis of registration numbers.   

 Gopal Rai and the Chief Minister approved all proposals except that about odd-even plying of vehicles, where they wanted a decision on implementation to be taken after advice from “experts,” the statement said.The file was subsequently sent to the LG Secretariat for LG’s approval.  The LG Secretariat has flagged this deliberate misrepresentation in its notings to the CM Office.      

 The note from LG Secretariat to CM Office said “Hon'ble Lt Governor has seen the file and desired that the lackadaisical indifference and callousness in dealing with this file of critical importance be conveyed to Hon'ble Chief Minister.

 As indicated in the file, the closure of schools, restriction on vehicles including odd-even plying of vehicles etc, were part of the mandatory GRAP SOPs laid down by the CAQM, as and when AQI increases from bad to severe etc. Orders for implementation of the GRAP measures are to be issued under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, for which the Government of India has delegated the powers to Hon’ble Lt. Governor.

 The above mentioned was proposed by the Department for consideration and approval of Hon'ble Minister, Hon'ble CM and subsequently Hon’ble LG, way back on 16.10.2023.  The file was sent back by the Office of Minister Environment on 23.10.2023 asking for a discussion.Even while the AQI kept rising from end October, beginning to peak from 02.11.2023 onwards because of smoke from neighbouring States, especially Punjab, the file was finally re-submitted to the Minister on 03.11.2023 and the same day, it reached the Chief Minister’s Office.

The CM Office noted on file that the Hon’ble Chief Minister is out of station and that the proposals in this regard have been shown to the Hon’ble CM, on 03.11.2023. The file was finally sent to the LG Secretariat on 04.11.2023, even as public announcements regarding the order for implementation of actions under Stage-IV of GRAP, had already been made in the Media, and the order was issued on 05.11.2023 itself.

 Notings of the Minister (Environment) at Para-163 and subsequently those by the CM Office on behalf of the Hon’ble Chief Minister at Para-164, clearly indicate that no decision whatsoever has been taken with regards to implementing the Odd-Even Scheme as envisaged in Para-158.2.IV.

In light of this announcements to this effect in the Media amounts to misleading the people as also the Hon’ble Courts, who are closely monitoring the situation arising out of severe Air Pollution in the City.

The LG has also conveyed his anguish on the casual approach of the Government as reflected in the unfortunate delay as mentioned aforesaid, on such a life-threatening issue, perennially affecting the Capital city of the country, since as early as 2016 with no concrete remedial action having been taken till now” the letter said.