CM Rekha holds first ‘Jansunwai’ at new camp office
Delhi govt welcomes CAQM relief on vehicle ban, CM calls it ‘commendable decision’
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta interacted with people and listened to their grievances at ‘Jansunwai’ at her camp office here on Wednesday.
This was the first ‘Jansunwai’ at her camp office on Raj Niwas Marg.
During the inauguration, the CM emphasised that public service is the “supreme duty” of her government. “The Mukhyamantri Jan Seva Sadan will serve as the centre for every citizen’s concern, hope, suggestion and resolution,” she said.
Gupta has been allotted two bungalows on the same road by the Public Works Department, one each to serve as her house and office. The Delhi government welcomed the Centre for Air Quality Management’s (CAQM) decision to defer the implementation of the fuel ban on overage vehicles until November 1.
CM said the “commendable decision” taken in public interest reflects a balanced and humane approach towards environmental concerns and citizens’ livelihoods.
“The CAQM issuing revised guidelines on the request of the Delhi government is an important and commendable decision that has been taken keeping in mind the public interest. The government welcomes this,” the chief minister said in a post in Hindi on X.
She said the Delhi government will use the time given by CAQM to provide further relief to residents and work collaboratively toward a long-term and practical solution. “As much as it is necessary to protect the environment, it is equally important that no decision affects the livelihood and dignity of common citizens,” she added.
Meanwhile, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa lauded the CAQM’s decision, calling it a “major relief” for the people of the city. “After our request, CAQM has shown sensitivity towards the concerns of the people. This is a big relief for Delhiites,” he said. The Centre’s panel on air quality in Delhi-NCR on Tuesday decided to put on hold the implementation of the fuel ban on end-of-life (EOL) or overage vehicles in the national capital until November 1. EOL vehicles are diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years. According to directions issued earlier, such vehicles are not to be given fuel in Delhi from July 1, irrespective of the states they are registered in.
Sirsa had last week requested the CAQM to withhold action against such vehicles, calling the move “premature and potentially counterproductive”, citing “operational and infrastructural challenges”.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to improving air quality in the capital, the minister said the fight against pollution will continue, but vehicle bans must be guided by science and data rather than arbitrary age limits.
