Ahead of massive plantation drive in September to enhance green cover in national Capital, the rift between Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Centrally administrative agency — the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) — has come to the fore again.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal conducted a meeting on Tuesday to discuss preparation of upcoming mega plantation drive with all stake holders. The Delhi Government during the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday raised the issue of non-participation of the DDA in massive plantation drive with th Delhi Government.
According to official statement released from Chief Minister's Office (CMO), it was mentioned that the DDA is trailing by 70 per cent of its green target for the current year and has failed to answer questions raised in the Cabinet about greening of the city. "The DDA refuses to participate in the mega plantation drive to be held in September," it further stated.
Targeting the DDA for not participating the plantation drive, Kejriwal said the DDA was unrepresented in the last meeting held on the issue by him on August 18 also.
"On the absence of DDA, the CM had called lieutenant Governor on Saturday and had expressed his displeasure; to which Anil Baijal ensured him that the Vice chairman (VC) DDA UP Singh would participate in the next meeting.
However, the VC did not attend the meeting on Tuesday again. The representative of the DDA refused to participate in the mega drive," Kejriwal said.
Meanwhile, during the review meeting it was decided in the meeting that a proper post plantation care would be ensured of the trees.
"Health of all the plants would be monitored every four months through Google earth based application and DGPS machines (GPS based machines). The Forest Survey of India (FSI) and the FRI would give all support to the government in post-plantation care, The environment department will buy the DGPS machines and give it to the greening agencies for post-plantation monitoring," CM said while reviewing the second meeting.
"The Revenue Department will also be active on the day of drive and would be responsible for coordination at the major spots of plantation jointly with the respective greening agency," said Delhi Government official, adding, "A co-ordination meeting will be held in the next week for smooth mega plantation drive,"
However, a DDA official said the agency has separate plan for this project under the Union government. "We have prepared our own green project under central government". "Around 3.25 lakh saplings have been done by DDA and we will achieve our target by September 30," the official added.