Arvind Kejriwal seeks to meet Punjab, Haryana chief ministers to discuss North India pollution
Punjab CM Amarinder Singh said inter-state talks would not help, and the Centre needed to intervene to resolve the problem of smog.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said he wanted to meet the chief ministers of Haryana and Punjab to find solutions to the air pollution and smog enveloping North India. However, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said the Centre must intervene, and an inter-state discussion would not help.
Singh made the statement on Twitter, and it is not clear whether he has officially responded to the letter Kejriwal sent him earlier in the day, requesting for a meeting.
In an exchange of tweets, Kejriwal suggested that the chief ministers could meet to find solutions to the pollution hazard, which they could then propose to the Centre.
In his letter to Singh and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Kejriwal wrote that the states needed to find an economically viable alternative to the disposal of crop stubble, which farmers end up burning.
Singh said on Twitter that the situation was serious, but Punjab was “helpless” as it has no money to compensate farmers for stubble management. Kejriwal again asked him “for time”, but Singh did not say anything about a likely meeting.
Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal writes to Haryana CM @mlkhattar & Punjab CM @capt_amarinder asking for meeting to resolve crop burning & pollution issue. pic.twitter.com/0XX0rZYcbd
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) November 8, 2017
Union Environ Min is abroad. Will meet him as soon as he is back. Just wrote letters to CMs of Pun n Haryana. Will meet them soonest
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 8, 2017
Share your concern over stubble burning and pollution @ArvindKejriwal, Centre alone can solve the problem given its national implications.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) November 8, 2017
I agree sir that Centre shud take lead. But pl grant me time to discuss if together we can present a plan to centre. Del is choking sir https://t.co/qMQJX6Y4It
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 8, 2017
My office continuously trying to take time from CMs of Punjab n Haryana for me to meet the two CMs. Its an emergency
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 8, 2017
Situation is serious but Punjab helpless as problem is widespread & state has no money to compensate farmers for stubble management (1/2).
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) November 8, 2017
It is not a matter for inter-state discussion, that won’t help. It requires central govt intervention, at the earliest (2/2).
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) November 8, 2017
