As Delhi struggles with polluted air, a Parliamentary committee has decided to drop the key issue of air pollution in NCR from the agenda of its November 17 meeting, prompting a Congress member to raise strong objections with the panel chairperson.
Congress member Ajay Maken has raised strong objections to the omission of the air pollution issue and has written to the committee chairperson, Radha Mohan Das Agrawal.
Agrawal, when contacted, said he was not aware of the letter by Ajay Maken.
The Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs had earlier decided to hear the views of the Ministry of Home Affairs and agencies concerned on the issue and hold a discussion.
If restoration is not possible, please fix and communicate the earliest firm alternative date, together with the reason for the change. Maken said he had requested examination of air pollution in his letter of November 2 and thanked the committee chairperson for including the subject in its programme for 2026-27, as published in Bulletin Part II dated November 6, No. 66837 as item 13.
“I therefore request restoration of the air-pollution hearing on 17 November.
I would be grateful for a response before the scheduled meeting,” the Congress MP said.
“The original public notice dated 5 November scheduled the hearing with the Ministry of Home Affairs and concerned agencies for 17 November at 2 p.m. The revised public notice dated 6 November omits that hearing. My concern is specifically the removal of the scheduled November 17 hearing at a time when these health risks demand timely scrutiny.
“Air pollution remains in the published annual programme.
It gives no reason for this change,” he said in his letter to the panel chairperson. Its omission requires an explanation and a definite date for examination,” he said in his letter to Agrawal.
