Union Environment Ministry Denies Receiving Latest Communication from Delhi on Air Pollution

The Union environment ministry clarified it had not recently received any communication from Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai for a discussion on air pollution, contradicting Rai's statement. The last communication was dated September 20, 2023, and meetings had been held since then to address air quality issues.

The Union environment ministry clarified on Thursday that it had not recently received any communication from Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai regarding a discussion on air pollution. This clarification comes amid Rai's claims of having sent a letter to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav to initiate a joint plan to tackle air pollution.

According to the ministry, the last correspondence from Rai was dated September 20, 2023, where he expressed a need for a meeting with National Capital Region (NCR) states to discuss air quality management. Following this, Yadav chaired a meeting with the environment ministers of the NCR states on October 20, 2023.

Additionally, the ministry outlined that its secretary led a meeting on July 25 to strategize for the upcoming year, focusing on the impending winter season—a critical time for air pollution. The statement also noted multiple cabinet secretary-led meetings throughout the year to review air quality management actions taken by various states.

(With inputs from agencies.)