Both the Houses today discussed air pollution. Lok Sabha continued its pending discussion from Tuesday. Members in both Houses argued that the burden of air pollution shouldn’t fall on farmers alone, and the crisis is not limited to Delhi and Punjab.
In Rajya Sabha, the Environment Minister responded that out of 324 days this year, 175 were classified as good, satisfactory and moderate days in Delhi. Speaking on the steps taken by the government, the Minister mentioned conversion of brick kilns to zigzag technology, tighter norms for coal-based power plants, BS VI fuel-compliance to address vehicular pollution, introduction of e-rickshaws etc.
Members in Rajya Sabha pointed out that farmers resort to stubble burning to clear their fields due to non-availability of technology. They asked the government to provide the farmers with the technology and offer incentives to stop the burning.
Rajya Sabha also discussed the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019 and the Transgender (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019. The Surrogacy Bill was referred to a Rajya Sabha Select Committee. With regard to the Transgender Bill, few members drew attention to the lack of provision for reservation in the current version of the Bill, and penalties prescribed being not as harsh as penalties for other similar offences.