Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has said that the government is ready to discuss the issues of air pollution in the Lok Sabha. He said that since the matter was raised by the leader of the opposition in the Business Advisory Committee, the government needs to look into it and see how the discussion will be structured under the rules.

 

 

The Minister further added that on the very first day, the government had made its position very clear, that on all the important matters, the government is ready for the discussion to find out the solution, taking along the suggestion of the opposition parties.

 

 

Raising the matter in Zero Hour, Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, said that it is an important issue that the country is facing now and hoped that this is not an ideological issue. Mr Gandhi further added that there will be full agreement between the opposition and the government to discuss the matter in the house. He said that the government must develop a plan on how to get rid of air pollution in the cities. He said the opposition, including Congress, is more than happy to support the development of such a plan.

 

 

The Congress party, including other opposition parties, has been demanding a discussion on air quality in the country since the beginning of the winter session of parliament.

 

 

Amid growing concerns from MPs about the hazardous air pollution in many parts of the country, Speaker Om Birla earlier held talks with the government and the Opposition about the possibility of the Lok Sabha conducting a detailed discussion. Congress whip Manickam Tagore yesterday raised the matter in the Lok Sabha, saying a health emergency is putting millions of Indians at risk.