The Delhi Congress on Thursday accused Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party of corruption in the name of controlling air pollution in the national capital and demanded a CBI inquiry.
According to the reports, Delhi Congress president Subhash Chopra launched an attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government, accusing them of involving in corruption in purchasing and distribution of masks among school children and also in extending financial benefits to the party volunteers during the odd-even traffic scheme.
Chopra said that Delhi government has spent Rs 10 crore to buy masks, but those masks have not been distributed. He also alleged that very poor quality masks have been procured which can’t be used more than 3-4 hours in such high pollution. He said that they demand CBI inquiry into the matter, and will also approach the Lokayukta.
The Congress party alleged that AAP government collected money from the people in the name of ‘Green Tax’ and instead of spending that money on checking pollution, the AAP government indulged in corruption by introducing the Odd-Even traffic regulation once again in the capital. The party accused Kejriwal government of spending the Green Tax money for its self-publicity.
Chopra said the AAP government, which has collected Rs 1,174.67 crore from the people as ‘Green Tax” since 2015 has spent only Rs 272.51 crore, out of which Rs 265 crore was spent on the orders of the Supreme Court for the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System.
“The AAP government spent only Rs 7 crore for the repair of Delhi roads for pollution control, which was a big scam as the Delhi government has no account of the expenses incurred,” he said, adding around Rs 400 crore were lying with the Central government.
Chopra also said that 63,142 children had died due to air pollution in 2017. He said that according to available statistics, 58 children face death every day in Delhi due to pollution.
He added, “Despite this shocking revelation, the BJP government at the Centre and the AAP government in Delhi have not taken effective measures to control pollution in the Capital.”
Questioning the basis on which the masks were purchased and distributed, Delhi Congress leaders said there were doubts about the manner in which the masks were purchased and distributed and demanded a high-level probe.
Just yesterday, the Delhi High Court had slammed Delhi Government and concerned authorities on the present state of air pollution in Delhi. The High Court had observed that if the government had followed its previous orders, the pollution level would not have reached present levels.
The High Court pulled up the Delhi government saying the problem lies in implementation and not lack of ideas. There is a complete lack of will, observed Delhi HC.
