Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday said India is expected to take less time than the 15 years taken by Beijing to improve air quality in the national Capital.
He was responding to a three-day long discussion in the Lok Sabha on the air and water pollution in Delhi. Meanwhile, in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary accused AAP-led Delhi Government of “creating hype” on the issue of rising air pollution in the national Capital due to “political reasons”.
The Lok Sabha witnessed structured debate on the pollution with Speaker Om Birla giving opportunity to all parties and allowing maximum number of MPs to raise questions after Javadekar’s speech.
Responding to a discussion on “air pollution and climate change”, the Minister said a mass movement is needed to tackle the problem. “It took Beijing 15 years (to fight air pollution). We will take lesser time,” he said, referring to the air quality in Delhi.
There is a relation between pollution and climate change, the Environment Minister said, adding that 40 per cent of India’s total power capacity will come from renewable sources before 2030. Noting that India’s green cover is increasing, the Minister said five times more trees have been planted in Delhi in place of trees cut down for construction of the Delhi Metro. Observing that pollution in Delhi was the topic of discussion in the entire country, he said the “solution to the problem will come only when we recognise the problem.”
On measures being taken to control pollution, he said round-the-clock monitoring was taking place. He also said that a ban has been put on use of furnace oil and emission norms have been enhanced. The Government has formed a task force on Delhi’s toxic smog and everyday the monitoring was being done by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The more trees planted, the more it will help in reducing pollution, he said. “If each one of us pledge to plant seven trees an oxygen bank will automatically be created,” he said.
Urging to avoid political slugfest on this grave issue affecting life, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said there has to be a concerted effort to deal with this problem. Both State and Central Government should work together to deal with the issue of pollution which has become a matter of concern. “We need a climate-smart economy...You should introduce climate literacy,” he said.
Chowdhury charged that the Environment and Forest Ministry under the NDA Government appears to be pro-business rather than pro-conservation. Climate change was never mentioned in the Budget in the last couple of year, he said, adding, this shows the importance being imparted by the Government to this important issue. Jagdambika Pal (BJP) said pollution is not only life threatening but also affecting GDP growth.
In Rajya Sabha, during the Question Hour, Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary accused AAP-led Delhi Government is “creating hype” on the issue of rising air pollution in the national Capital due to “political reasons”. Responding to queries during Question Hour, he said, “It may be the failure of the State Government. There are many reasons for rise in pollution. However, the State Government is creating hype for political reasons.” He said there was no need to blame farmers for the rise in pollution as stubble burning has contributed to only 3 per cent to the overall air pollution in Delhi.
On stringent measures taken against farmers to curb stubble burning, the Minister said, “It is wrong to send farmers to jail. However, it is a state subject.” On the Supreme Court’s directive, some States are offering Rs 100/quintal assistance to farmers. Even the Central Government’s agriculture research body ICAR has developed seven post harvesting machines to reduce stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, he added. Every year, the national Capital sees rise in air pollution on the onset of winter, he said.