Lok Sabha to take up pollution debate today; environment minister to reply at 5 pm

Congress leader and leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, had earlier sought a detailed discussion on the air pollution crisis in Lok Sabha

The issue of air pollution will be discussed in the Parliament on Thursday amid worsening air quality index (AQI) in several parts of North India. The development comes as Opposition leaders raised concerns over the issue in both Houses of Parliament.

Union environment minister Bhupendra Yadav is expected to respond to the queries, objections as well as suggestions at around 5 pm in the Lok Sabha.

Congress leader and leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, had earlier sought a detailed discussion on the air pollution crisis in Lok Sabha. Following which, union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju assured him that the government is open for discussion.

Addressing the Lok Sabha on December 12, Gandhi said, "Most of our major cities are living under a blanket of poisonous air. Millions of children are getting lung diseases. Their future is being destroyed. People are getting cancer. Older people are struggling to breathe. This is an interesting issue because I'm certain that there will be full agreement between the government and us on this issue. This is not an ideological issue. Everybody in this house would agree that air pollution, the damage it is doing to our people, is something that we would like to cooperate on."

Emphasising the need for collaborative action, Gandhi proposed a detailed discussion over the issue.

"It's important that the government develops a plan for how to get rid of air pollution in our cities. We are more than happy to cooperate with the government to develop such a plan," Gandhi added.

"I think we should make it a discussion where we are participating, we are showing the country that on this fundamental issue, there is agreement, and the best minds are going to be put into place to solve this issue. I think it would be good if we have a detailed discussion and then the Prime Minister puts in place a plan for each city, a methodical systematic plan on how, within the next five or ten years, maybe we cannot resolve the problem, but how we are going to address the problem and make life for our people easier," Gandhi said further.

In response to Gandhi's concerns, union minister Kiren Rijiju assured him that a discussion would be held to find a solution and invited suggestions from MPs across party lines.

"The government, from day one, had made our position very clear that on all important matters, the government is ready to discuss and also to find a solution, taking along the suggestions from all the members, including the principal opposition party led by Rahul Gandhi ji. Under the various laws and rules, we will see how we will take up this discussion," Rijiju said in the House.