Capt. Amarinder Singh attacks Arvind Kejriwal over Delhi's pollution problem, calls 'peculiar'

The two chief ministers have been engaged in verbal spats for sometime over the pollution in Delhi with stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana as one of the reasons.

Blasting Kejriwal, the Punjab CM said: "Mr Kejriwal is a peculiar person who has views on everything without understanding the situation. There is 20 million ton of paddy straw, where do I ask farmers to store? So Mr Kejriwal doesn't understand this problem."

While the Delhi CM wants to meet the chief ministers of neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana, Capt. Amarinder feels the Centre can alone solve the problem.

Mentioning Kejriwal in a tweet, the Punjab CM said: "Share your concern over stubble burning and pollution @ArvindKejriwal, Centre alone can solve the problem given its national implications."

In a follow up tweet, Capt. Amarinder said: "Situation is serious but Punjab helpless as problem is widespread & state has no money to compensate farmers for stubble management..."

The Delhi government on Thursday decided to re-implement its much debated OddEven' plan for cars as the national capital region continues to reel under dense smog, according to media reports.

City Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said that the 'OddEven' scheme will be enforced in Delhi for five-day period from Monday.

The region has been suffering from intense smog over the past few days, which has forced the administration to declare an 'emergency'.

Life have been thrown out of gear in many places, with schools shut, accidents on highways, delay in train and flight timings, etc.

The National Green Tribunal has banned construction and industrial activities in Delhi-NCR till November 14, media reports said on Thursday.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also sent notices to the Centre, and to the governments of Delhi, Punjab and Haryana  in view of the life-threatening pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR region.

In its advisory on Wednesday, the Union Health ministry has recommended those with breathing difficulty to remain indoors.

Parents have been asked to keep children indoors as much as possible.

Delhiites have been advised to avoid morning walks or any other strenuous outdoor activity that increases breathing rate.

The advisory has suggested all to drink plenty of water and fluids; avoid smoking; minimize the use of deodorants and room sprays as much as possible; and  to avoid the areas with smoke or heavy dust.

For those with heart ailments and chronic respiratory disease or asthma, the ministry has recommended them to continue their medication as advised by physician.

Image: Capt Amarinder Singh Twitter page