• Source:JND
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Delhi Schools Closed: Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced that all schools in the national capital will switch to online learning up to Class 5 until further directions. The order comes amid the rising pollution levels in Delhi. 

"Due to rising pollution levels, all primary schools in Delhi will be shifting to online classes, until further directions," Atishi, who also holds the education portfolio, said in a post on X.

With pollution reaching alarming levels, the central pollution watchdog CAQM imposed restrictions under GRAP Stage III in Delhi-NCR earlier on Thursday. The air quality of Delhi remained in the 'severe' category for a second consecutive day, prompting the authorities to impose the stringent anti-pollution measures. The restrictions will come into force on Friday.

The measures under the third stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) announced by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) include shifting schools up to Class 5 to online mode.

GRAP for the National Capital Region (NCR) is classified under four different stages of adverse air quality in Delhi: Stage I -- 'poor' (AQI 201-300); Stage II -- 'very poor' (AQI 301-400); Stage III -- 'severe' (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV -- 'severe plus' (AQI >450).

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BJP Demands Resignation Of Minister Gopal Rai

Meanwhile, BJP lashed out at the Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai and also demanded his resignation. Rai hit back at the BJP and accused the saffron party led governments in the neighbouring states of doing nothing to prevent air pollution.

In a statement by the Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva assailed Rai calling him an "unsuccessful" environment minister and said Delhiiites want him to step down.

"Due to Atishi government's inaction, the pollution situation in Delhi is now worse than in surrounding areas, with the AQI even in clean areas like Rajpath exceeding 450," he claimed.

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(With input from agencies)