Delhi Minister denies allegations of AQI data manipulation
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa rejected claims of air quality data tampering by the Aam Aadmi Party.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa denied allegations of air quality index (AQI) data manipulation in the national capital on Tuesday. According to The Tribune, Sirsa accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of politicising the issue to divert attention from pollution in states where the party holds power.
The minister stated that all air quality monitoring stations in Delhi are under the supervision of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which submits reports to the Supreme Court. He said that neither the Delhi government nor the Centre could tamper with the data, noting that 40 per cent of the stations are operated by the Delhi government while the rest belong to the Centre.
The allegations were made by AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bhardwaj, who claimed on Monday that the government is using fraud to present false numbers. According to The New Indian Express, Bhardwaj alleged that monitoring stations were shut down, 20 new stations were installed in remote green areas, and water is being sprinkled over stations in polluted spots to manipulate readings.
Bhardwaj also claimed that the AQI had crossed 3,000 in several areas. He warned that the government is playing with lives by peddling false numbers, as high PM 2.5 levels can cause respiratory failure and heart attacks.
Sirsa challenged those questioning the data's credibility to approach the court with evidence of wrongdoing. He also alleged that air quality in Punjab had deteriorated under the AAP government, citing a reported AQI of 1,350 in Sangrur on Monday.
