Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav today said that the government is concerned about the high Air Pollution Index (AQI) in Delhi and taking several steps to mitigate the ill-effect of pollution. He was replying to a discussion on a statutory resolution in Rajya Sabha to adopt the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024 in Manipur. The Minister said, several rounds of meetings were held with the stakeholders, resulting in reduction in stubble burning in the adjoining states of Delhi. He said, 90 per cent reduction was witnessed in stubble burning since 2016. The Minister said, India has done a tremendous work to protect its core area of forest.
Earlier, participating in the discussion, Ayodhya Rami Reddy Alla of YSRCP said, the legal framework should include groundwater and not just surface water. He said groundwater is a State subject and only a few States have passed laws to regulate it. He stressed greater monitoring of groundwater in states. P Wilson of DMK spoke about the hazards of pollution across the country. He also mentioned fluoride contamination in Tamil Nadu. He also demanded for holding assembly polls in Manipur. Neeraj Dangi of Congress highlighted the rising pollution level in Loktak lake in Manipur. Susmita Dev of Trinamool Congress said that water pollution is an extremely important subject, and as Parliamentarian it is the duty of all to address this issue. Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena (UBT) raised the issue of President’s rule in Manipur and suspension of State Assembly. She said, pollution is a serious issue across the country and it should be given priority.
After the discussion, the House adopted the statutory resolution related to Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024 in Manipur with voice vote.
Later, the House took up the Special Mention in which Members raised various issues of public importance. After the special mention, the House was adjourned for the day to meet again tomorrow.
