Chandigarh, November 2 - While bemoaning the growing tendency on the part of some stakeholders to play petty politics on the issue of severe pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Lal has written to the Union Environment Minister, Mr. Prakash Javadekar to convene a meeting of Chief Ministers of Delhi and neighbouring states at the earliest and preferably tomorrow.

Earlier the Chief Minister, in a telephonic conversation with the Union Environment Minister, requested him to convene this meeting so as to prepare a well thought-out strategy that would synergize the efforts of different organizations and the government in the region.

He said that the ongoing public health emergency in the NCR is a matter of serious concern for all of us. To alleviate the suffering of the people, there is a need for coordinating the efforts of all stakeholders to tackle the issue in a more sensitive and responsible manner. He said that as no single person, organisation or Government can improve the quality of air in the NCR, playing politics on this serious situation is unfortunate and, in itself, a matter of concern. Focus should be on providing relief and succour to the people who are suffering due to the prevalent severe pollution in the NCR for the last couple of days, he added.

Following up this conversation with a letter, Mr. Manohar Lal said that the meeting of all Chief Ministers and Environment Ministers of the concerned states will help evolve an actionable plan and a joint strategy to address the serious situation and to mitigate the suffering and hardships of the people.