L-G, AAP govt spar again, this time over pollution in Yamuna

In a series of posts on X, Saxena said, “Every Chhath, every time ammonia levels get high, every flood and every water shortage due to low levels of water in reservoirs, there ensues a blame game.

All and sundry are blamed but none take blame for the inaction over years. Another set of high-sounding promises are made… And… the Yamuna flows festering..!! Even when some work starts under directions of Hon’ble NGT & things just begin to change in terms of cleaner flood plains, enhanced sewage treatment, land for new STPs & resultant slight improvements in water quality, the Govt convolutedly gets Hon’ble SC to modify NGT’s order.”

Several markers of pollution, such as biological oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen and coliform content in Yamuna are well above acceptable limits. Owing to pollution, the celebration of the Chhath festival was banned on the river stream again this year.

Reacting to the L-G’s posts, officials in the Delhi government said Saxena was in contempt of the apex court. “It is unfortunate a representative of the Centre, holding a constitutional position, considers themselves above the law. If L-G disagreed with the order… removing him from the high-level panel on Yamuna cleaning, he should have filed a review. It is shocking he… is insinuating the CM influenced the decision.”

Officials in the L-G Secretariat, however, said it was “shocking” that the government was hiding behind contempt of court instead of addressing the issue of the polluted river. “… the L-G has followed every order, including the one in this case, in letter and spirit. Just as a Constitutional Authority should do,” an official said.