UP CM directs officials to tackle smog, enforce rules strictly

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Taking a grim view of poor air quality in Lucknow and dense smog in other Uttar Pradesh districts, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday directed officials and departments concerned to get their act together and find a solution to the problem.

He also ordered officials concerned to ensure rules and mechanisms to stop pollution are strictly implemented.

A state government spokesman said Akhilesh Yadav had asked state Pollution Control Board and the Environment Department to ascertain the reasons for the smog and come out with immediate solutions.

The Chief Minister asked officials to ensure proper garbage disposal and act against burning of garbage in the open.

Officials should see to it that vehicles and generators and other machinery are used as per the pollution control rules, he said.

Instructions have been issued to ensure crop residue is disposed in a manner that does not add to pollution.

The 'Green UP-Clean UP' programme had been taken up in Uttar Pradesh, under which five crore saplings were planted on a single day in July.

Land measuring 50-1000 acres had been identified in different districts for plantation drives.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state unit sought the closure of all schools till such time that the weather clears up.

AAP state spokesman Vaibhav Maheshwari said it not only save children from the ill-effects of pollution but also bring down pollution itself as a lot of vehicles will go off road.

--IANS

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