Wed Nov 20 19:44:16 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Govt. Orders Half-Strength Staffing as Smog Persists

**New Delhi, November 21, 2024** – Delhi grapples with persistent severe air pollution, prompting the government to implement emergency measures. On Wednesday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government ordered all its offices, except those providing essential services, to operate at 50% capacity. This includes the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Hospitals and departments crucial for power, water, sanitation, and transport remain fully operational.

While Environment Minister Gopal Rai urged the private sector to follow suit with staggered timings and shuttle buses for employees, no official order was issued by press time.

The move comes three days after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), its most stringent pollution control measures. While the CAQM left work-from-home decisions to individual states, it mandated online classes for students up to Class 11 in Delhi and surrounding areas (Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar) under Stages III and IV of GRAP.

Delhi’s air quality, though slightly improved from “severe plus” to “severe” (AQI 419) on Wednesday, remains hazardous. The improvement is attributed to a drop from 460 the previous day, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. While no significant change is expected Thursday, improvement to “very poor” is predicted by Friday.

Stubble burning contributed 19.82% to PM2.5 pollution on Tuesday, according to the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences. Minister Rai criticized BJP-ruled states (Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh) for insufficient action, urging the BJP and Prime Minister Modi to address the crisis.

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