Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Friday announced staggered timings for government offices across the city in an attempt to tackle the city’s worsening air quality. This decision aims to reduce traffic congestion and pollution. The development follows as the national capital’s air quality remained in the severe category for three consecutive days. 

The GRAP III restrictions have been imposed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), due to the city’s air quality remaining severe.  Reportedly, the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 9 am stood at 411, well within the severe range of 400-500.

Notably, the GRAP for Delhi-NCR is divided into four stages of air quality, namely Stage 1 for poor Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging between 201 and 300, Stage 2 for very poor AQI of 301-400, Stage 3 for severe AQI of 401-450 and Stage 4 for severe plus AQI more than 450.

In a bid to control the situation, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has announced that government offices will function at different timings with immediate effect in order to reduce the congestion. As per the government order, Municipal Corporation of Delhi will operate from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Central Government offices will operate from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, Delhi Government offices will operate from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm.

This decision is reportedly a part of a broader plan to minimize the emissions from transport, one of the primary contributors to the city’s poor air quality. Meanwhile, other GRAP Stage III restrictions include ban on non-essential construction and demolition, closure of stone crushers and mining activities in Delhi-NCR, and prohibition on inter-state buses from NCR states, except electric, CNG, and BS-VI diesel buses.

Furthermore, if the AQI worsens further, Stage IV restrictions may be imposed, which would include, stringent ban on construction and demolition activities, suspension of mining-related activities, shifting to online classes for students up to Class V, and daily water sprinkling on major roads. 

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday slammed the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government, saying the government that does encounters doesn’t trust the Constitution.  

Yadav accused the saffron party of undermining the Constitution while emphasising his party’s commitment to safeguarding democracy.

“The government that does encounters doesn’t trust the Constitution,” said Yadav during a public rally in support of Dr Charu Kain, the Samajwadi Party candidate for Khair constituency. The byelection in Khair is scheduled for November 20.

The Samajwadi party chief added, “We have worked to educate people about the Constitution and the INDIA alliance has gained widespread support. But that doesn’t mean the ruling party cannot meddle with it. We, the Samajwadi Party, will continue to protect the Constitution and our democracy.”

Yadav took a jibe at the Chief Minister, saying, “Sadhus and saints speak less, but in ‘kalyug’ (the current age), they are speaking more. Those we once thought would speak the truth have become the peddlers of lies.”

Continuing his attack, Yadav said, “Our chief minister is laying explosive (gunpowder) in the society but he doesn’t know that his chair itself is in danger. A tunnel is being dug beneath his chair and it is in danger as well.” 

Yadav also accused the BJP government of worsening inflation to benefit its “business allies” and failing to provide permanent employment to the youth, wasting public resources instead.

The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister criticised the state government’s claim of transforming UP into a trillion-dollar economy.

“They promise a trillion-dollar economy but have no intention of creating jobs for our youth. They make such claims to confuse the poor and divert attention,” Yadav said.

The Election Commission officials on Friday checked the helicopter and bags of Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his election rally in the Hingoli Assembly segment of Maharashtra.

The Union Home Minister, taking to X, shared a video which showcased that election officials were checking the helicopter ferrying him and his bags.

“Today, during my election campaign in the Hingoli Assembly constituency of Maharashtra, my helicopter was inspected by Election Commission officials,” Shah said.

The Home Minister said the BJP believes in a free and fair elections process and follows all the rules made by the Election Commission. “We all must contribute to a healthy election system and perform our duties in keeping India as the strongest democracy in the world,” he added.

Shah was in the state to campaign for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance ahead of the November 20 Assembly elections.

The issue of poll officials checking politicians’ luggage entered electoral discourse after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray filmed his bags being inspected and shared the video of it.

He also sought to know if the election officials had checked the bags of the Chief Minister, the state’s two deputy CMs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah.

The officials had checked the bags of Thackeray on Monday and Tuesday, after his arrival in Yavatmal and Latur, respectively.

The election body officials on Wednesday checked the bags of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale.

Shinde’s bags were checked at the Palghar police ground helipad after his arrival for the election campaign in the state.

Taking a jibe at the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief, Shinde said, “Let them check, they are doing their duty.” Whereas, Ramdas Athawale’s bags were checked by the officers after he arrived in Pune by helicopter.

According to the Election Commission of India, the aircraft and helicopters of top leaders across the political spectrum are checked as part of the standard operating procedure.