Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Sunday said saving people’s lives is the priority of the Delhi Government, not politics. Rai has appealed to the people of Delhi not to burst firecrackers. On the other hand, the Delhi BJP leaders criticised the Kejriwal government move to ban fire crackers on Diwali.
Rai said, “The level of pollution increases every year in winter. We celebrate Diwali every year. This Diwali, we appeal to all Delhiites to help in curbing the pollution. Try not to burst crackers. There is an appeal especially to the youth to take a pledge to stop pollution in their city.” After every Diwali, he said there is difficulty in breathing and it has a great effect on the elderly and children. The pollution is increased with the burning of firecrackers. On criticism against the ban on firecrackers, the Minister said, “I do not want to say anything on politics.
Those who want to do politics can do so. Saving people’s lives is our priority. Some people had also gone to the Supreme Court regarding this matter, and after the decision of the court, now there is no scope of debate left in this matter.
When our ancestors celebrated Diwali, there were no firecrackers as then firecrackers were not produced. The priority of every religion is to save lives of people.” Rai said that government’s focus is to make people aware . He further raised concerns over the incidents of stubble burning reported around Delhi.
Rai said the incidents of stubble burning are expected to increase after Diwali.