To strengthen its anti-pollution campaign, the city Government on Friday gave power to a team of 33 SDMs to take stringent action against violators ahead the festival of ‘Dipawali’. These SDMs will hold meetings with representatives from different sections on October 31 and generate awareness about the Government’s campaign including anti-cracker campaigns to curb pollution.

All SDMs will also hold a meeting with police officials on October 25 regarding firecrackers and make a strategy to manage Diwali pollution.

Pitching the slogan - ‘Diye Se Diwali Hoti Hai, Patakhe Se Pollution Hota Hai’, Environment Minister Gopal Rai asked all SDMs to hold meetings RWAs, market associations, and other eminent figures to generate awareness.

“These SDMs will accelerate the fight against pollution on the ground and hold meetings and make people aware of air pollution status and methods to curb it,” Rai said.

“With the Diwali season approaching, the SDMs have been authorised to take direct action and seize illegal sales of firecrackers. The people of Delhi are urged to also report any illegal use on the Green Delhi App. The Delhi Government’s motto is to brighten the festival with diyas this Diwali, and not let the pollution from crackers dim the light,” Rai added.

 “All SDMs in the 33 zones of Delhi are to hold meetings with respective RWAs, NGOs, market associations, and other eminent organisations and figures on October 28 and 29. They will train and sensitize them towards the current status and ways to tackle air pollution in Delhi. The meetings will include explanation and discussion of the 10 Point Winter Action Plan announced by the CM, ” Rai said.