Heatwave: L-G orders paid break for labourers, calls CM insensitive

“GIVE UP NEGATIVITY’: Delhi Health minister Bharadwaj says AAP govt was making heatwave preparations even before L-G office became active

With Delhi sizzling under an intense heatwave, Lt Governor V K Saxena on Wednesday directed that a paid break from noon to 3 pm be given to labourers, along with water and coconut milk at construction sites, as he flagged the "lack of sensitivity" on the part of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Hitting back, Delhi Health minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said the AAP government was making heatwave preparations even before the L-G office became active and urged Saxena to "give up negativity".

Saxena directed that the three-hour break for labourers has been implemented by the Delhi Development Authority since May 20 and will continue across all sites till temperatures come down below 40 degrees Celsius, according to a letter sent to Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar by the principal secretary to the Lt Governor.

It said Delhi is facing an unprecedented heatwave with temperatures hovering around 50 degrees Celsius in some parts for the first time in the city's history.