Delhi pollution debate missed as Winter session of Parliament ends amid political tussle
PTC Web Desk: The expected discussion on Delhi’s deteriorating air quality could not take place as the Winter Session of Parliament wrapped up on Friday morning. The session, which began on December 1, focused on key legislation, including bills on nuclear energy and rural employment. The rural employment measure, known as the G RAM G Bill and intended to replace the UPA-era MGNREGA scheme, generated significant controversy and opposition.
According to officials from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s office, lawmakers felt that the parliamentary environment was not suitable for an in-depth debate on pollution.
Earlier, there had been hopes that the worsening air quality in Delhi and northern India would receive parliamentary attention. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had pushed for the discussion, and the government had agreed. Despite this, the debate did not take place, leaving residents to face hazardous pollution levels.
Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav was expected to address the House on Thursday evening. However, proceedings were disrupted by opposition MPs protesting the G RAM G Bill, leading to an early adjournment. The Bill was later passed in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, but the pollution issue remained unaddressed.
Prior to the proposed discussion, Congress MPs had submitted an adjournment motion to highlight the urgent air quality crisis. MP Vijay Vasanth from Kanyakumari called on the government to declare a national health emergency in the Delhi-NCR region amid the smog.
Delhi’s air quality had been classified as hazardous for several days between December 13 and 15, before temporarily improving on December 16. Currently, pollution levels are again approaching “severe,” with multiple monitoring stations recording AQI readings above 400. Dense fog has added to the public health concerns.
Given the session’s end, a parliamentary debate on pollution is now unlikely until the 2026 Budget Session.
After Parliament adjourned, Speaker Om Birla met MPs from both sides of the aisle. Visuals showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacting with Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi and others over tea. Sources confirmed that the conversation touched on her Wayanad constituency.
Priyanka Gandhi, who was poised to lead the discussion on Delhi’s air pollution, could not do so before the session ended.
- With inputs from agencies
