Saxena, however, flags concerns over the CM announcing arrangements before the proposal was approved; AAP says the L-G is hungry for тАШcheap publicityтАЩ
Saxena, however, flags concerns over the CM announcing arrangements before the proposal was approved; AAP says the L-G is hungry for тАШcheap publicityтАЩ
Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday approved the designated ghats along the Yamuna for observing Chhath Puja and asked the Delhi government to ensure these places are properly cleaned and that basic amenities are provided.
Chhath Puja, which is popular among the cityтАЩs growing Purvanchali population, will be observed on October 30 and 31. The Delhi government has made arrangements for the same over the past few years.
On October 14, Mr. Kejriwal had said that back in 2014, the Delhi government had spent тВ╣2.5 crore on organising Chhath at 69 sites, but there will be 1,100 sites this year with a budget of тВ╣25 crore. He added that due to COVID-19, community celebrations were not possible for two years and the government would make preparations for a grand celebration this time.
Sources at Raj Bhawan said Mr. Saxena cleared the proposal sent by the Delhi government, but placed on record his тАЬserious concernsтАЭ regarding the тАЬpremature publicityтАЭ by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on October 21 when he announced on Twitter that Chhath Puja arrangements would be made, even before the L-G had given his nod to conduct the same on the ghats along the Yamuna.
Hitting back, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) тАЬstronglyтАЭ objected to the language used by the L-G. тАЬHe (L-G) is lowering the dignity of the chair he occupies by publicly abusing the CM every day. The CM is an elected representative who has been elected for the third consecutive time with historic margins,тАЭ a statement by AAP said
The party said the L-G has no business to publicly reprimand the Chief Minister every day. тАЬThe L-G is hungry for cheap publicity and wants to see his name in newspapers every day,тАЭ it added.
In a tweet in Hindi, Mr. Kejriwal had on October 21 said, тАЬChhath Puja will be celebrated as before on the ghats of Yamuna. Orders have been given to all officers that the Yamuna not be polluted, all arrangements will be made to ensure this.тАЭ
Sources said that the L-G objected to this while granting approval and said the tweet had caused confusion, with many people assuming the festivities could be performed anywhere along the Yamuna. тАЬThe proposal to hold Chhath Puja approved by the Lieutenant-Governor was specific to designated Yamuna ghats,тАЭ a source said.
Mr. Saxena has also directed the revenue and environment departments to ensure strict enforcement of the National Green TribunalтАЩs orders on Yamuna pollution.
