Delhi-NCR pollution needs Centre's intervention: Amarinder

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said that air pollution level in the National Capital Region wasn't an inter-state matter but needed Centre's intervention.

His Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal agreed but requested a discussion along with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal urged his Haryana and Punjab counterparts for a meeting in order to jointly address the issue of the alarming pollution level, with 18 of the 21 active pollution monitoring stations in the national capital recording 'severe' air quality on Tuesday.

Responding to this, Amarinder Singh said in a series of tweets: "Share your concern over stubble burning and pollution @ArvindKejriwal, Centre alone can solve the problem given its national implications."

"Situation is serious but Punjab helpless as problem is widespread and state has no money to compensate farmers for stubble management. It is not a matter for inter-state discussion, that won't help. It requires central government's intervention, at the earliest."

Kejriwal said he agreed that the Central government should take the lead. "But please grant me time to discuss if together we can present a plan to Centre. Delhi is choking, Sir," he tweeted.

--IANS

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