AAP accuses BJP of manipulating Delhi air quality data
The Aam Aadmi Party has demanded legal action against Delhi's Chief Minister and Environment Minister over alleged pollution reading fraud.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the BJP-led Delhi government of falsifying air quality index (AQI) data and has called for criminal proceedings against Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, according to reports by Rediff and The Tribune.
AAP Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that water is being sprayed on monitoring stations, such as the one in Jahangirpuri, to alter pollution readings. Bharadwaj stated that he and other party members have shared posts on X regarding this activity at the station.
In a formal complaint to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Bharadwaj requested an independent investigation and an audit of the data systems managed by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). He claimed that fabricated, lower AQI readings could mislead vulnerable groups, including children and senior citizens, into skipping medical precautions.
Separately, AAP media in-charge Baltej Pannu criticised the BJP for blaming Punjab's farmers for Delhi's pollution. Pannu stated that Parliament data showed an 80 per cent decrease in stubble-burning incidents in Punjab last year and noted that the Bhagwant Mann government has used over 21,000 crop residue management machines.
Pannu also claimed the Centre declined to share the costs of stubble management despite offers from the Punjab government. The AAP has announced a social media campaign to raise awareness about the alleged data manipulation and air pollution.