Winter action plan announced in Delhi after 15-day delay: AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday criticised the BJP-led government over the delayed announcement of the Winter Action Plan, accusing it of acting only after pollution levels began to spike in the national capital.

Calling it a “sleeping government”, former Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said the plan was announced 15 days late merely to complete formalities, rather than in response to the worsening air quality.

“When Delhi’s pollution started rising, the BJP government announced the winter action plan after a 15-day delay just to complete formalities,” Rai said during a press conference.

He said air pollution typically begins to rise after Diwali each year, yet the government failed to act in advance, convening a hurried meeting only on Thursday to announce the plan.

“I want to ask the BJP government — where was it sleeping for the last one month? Earlier, the process of preparing the winter action plan used to begin on September 15 and it was always announced before October 1. Why has it been announced 15 days late this time? The government must answer this question,” he added.

Highlighting the contents of the plan, Rai pointed to the government’s claim of 100 percent spraying of bio-decomposer to tackle stubble burning. “But it’s been 15 days since the plan was announced — why hasn’t the minister gone to the ground? Where is the spraying happening, how is it being done, and for how many farmers? Why isn’t the minister visiting the field to monitor?” he questioned.

Rai noted in previous years, regular meetings were held with private construction agencies as part of the anti-dust campaign. These, he said, ensured active participation from both government and private entities in controlling dust pollution — a step he claimed is missing this year.