AAP questions BJP’s silence on Delhi Ridge tree felling

NEW DELHI: AAP leaders on Thursday called out the BJP for its silence over the alleged illegal felling of trees in Delhi’s Ridge Protected Area, accusing the party of engaging in “politics” over a serious issue like air pollution in the national capital.

Speaking to the press, senior leader Jasmine Shah said that the BJP and LG VK Saxena have not addressed the issue since it came to light. “BJP is the first to play politics on the issue of pollution and shed crocodile tears over it. They have blocked many works of the Delhi government on the issue of pollution. Why are they silent?” Shah remarked.

The controversy revolves around the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) allegedly felling nearly 1,100 trees without permission.

Shah asked whether DDA and forest department officials were under pressure from their “superiors” over the felling of trees. He said these officials had been summoned by a three-member inquiry committee set up by environment minister Gopal Rai, but they did not attend the meeting.

The principal secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Forests on Monday questioned the setting up of the Delhi government’s inquiry commission. He argued that its setting up violated procedural rules and could potentially lead to contempt of court.

The committee, which comprises ministers Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj and Imran Hussain, was set up to probe the alleged unauthorised felling of 1,100 trees in the Southern Ridge area.