The opposition, Congress and INlD in Haryana has condemned the State Government for failing to take effective steps to control high levels of air pollution. Kiran Chaudhry, leader of the Haryana Congress legislature Party, has demanded that considering the alarming smog situation, orders should be issued for closure of the schools in Gurgaon, Faridabad and parts of Sonepat district which fall in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The former Minister said that the pollution levels in these districts bordering Delhi had become worse and more people, especially children, are complaining of respiratory problems and other health conditions. This calls for urgent measures to mitigate pollution, and check the spread of related health disorders, she said.
“On the pattern of the Delhi, the Haryana Government too should press the alarm bells and close down Government schools for a week in these three districts as children are getting hit by smog. The authorities should also set up special nakas on the highways and other roads to check the pollution levels of vehicles and provide for additional facilities at the health centres and Government hospitals to cope with the rising number of patients”, Choudhry demanded.
On the issue of stubble burning, she asked the government to stop penalising the farmers for burning rice stubble, and instead provide them easy loans for the purchase/ hiring of such machines as simultaneously cut rice stubble and sow wheat seeds. On the other hand, leader of opposition and INlD’s senior leader Abhay Singh Chautala also demanded the Government to stop penalising the farmers for stubble burning and instead, ensure measures to help the farmers to deal with the crop residue.
Chautala said that while the people of the State are suffering due to the problem of air pollution, the State Government has failed to take effective steps to control the problem.