MP asks government to reconsider holding winter session when Delhi becomes ‘gas chamber’

NEW DELHI: Delhi’s severe air pollution found its way into a discussion in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday when it took up a bill on the prevention of water pollution relating to Manipur. DMK MP P Wilson suggested govt reconsider holding the winter session when Delhi becomes a “gas chamber” and shifting various ministries and statutory bodies to other states.

During his reply to the discussion on the bill, Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav also said Delhi’s air pollution is a concern for govt and steps are being taken to address this. Some other members also referred to Delhi’s air emergency.

Participating in the discussion, Wilson said, “Govt must seriously consider whether Parliament winter sessions during peak smog months are even advisable. The constitutional requirement of number of days of sittings can be achieved by working in other sessions avoiding winter sessions.” He said there is no constitutional mandate that every constitutional body or authority must be only in Delhi.

He suggested govt establish regional benches of Supreme Court in Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and reduce load of the apex court and similarly should shift ministries and statutory bodies to other states. “Spread the administrative load across the country. Let’s decongest Delhi and allow Delhi to breathe good air,” he said.

Wilson said Delhiites are losing over eight years of their life expectancy due to air pollution. “The single largest culprit every Delhiite sees daily is - traffic congestion, vehicular emissions, and over-centralisation of everything in this one city. Why should all work be carried out from Delhi? Why must governance in 2025 operate in the same manner it did in 1950?” he asked.

Yadav responded to the lawmakers’ concern. “Delhi’s air pollution is a concern for us and since Aug we have held six meetings...with the countrys agriculture minister and agriculture ministers from Haryana, UP, Punjab and Rajasthan. If you compare with 2019, stubble burning has reduced by 2016.” he said.

Stating that there is a need to deal with “anthropocentric” activities such as dust, vehicular and industrial pollution, he said govt is taking several measures to tackle the problems.

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