CM warns officials of FIRs over anti-pollution lapses

Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday issued stern instructions to all government agencies in the city, warning that any lapse in antipollution measures - dust control, construction waste management and road maintenance —will invite not just heavy penalties, but also criminal action against officials found responsible.

- Snehil Sinha

‘Ata high-level review meeting at the Delhi Secretariat, Gupta told departments that the government “will not hesitate to fix accountability” within its own machinery to ensure visible improvement on the ground. In cases of negligence, she said, FIRs will be lodged against government departments and heads of departments will be held personally liable. The warning comes amid one of the most toxic stretches of winter in recent years. Of the 33 days since November began, Delhi has recorded “very poor” air (AQI 300-400) or worse on 30 days, underscoring the urgency behind the directives.

Gupta has authorised the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPC) to aggressively challenge and fine both government bodies and private entities found violating antipollution norms, according to officials aware of the meeting.