Congress leader Ajay Maken objects as parliamentary panel drops Delhi air pollution hearing

Senior Congress leader and parliamentary panel member Ajay Maken has written a letter to committee chairperson Radha Mohan Das Agarwal to protest the sudden removal of a scheduled discussion on Delhi-National Capital Region air pollution from the November 17 meeting agenda.

The Schedule Change

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs initially circulated an agenda on November 5 that included a detailed hearing with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and other concerned agencies. The planned discussion was set to cover the enforcement of regulatory measures, the implementation of Graded Response Action Plan steps, the protection of vulnerable groups, and coordination among various government and law enforcement bodies. However, a revised notice issued on November 6 dropped the pollution topic entirely without giving any reason, replacing it with hearings on drug trafficking and narcotics control involving the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Maken's Demand

In his letter, Mr. Maken called the current air situation a public health emergency and urged the chairperson to restore the item to the November 17 meeting. He also asked for a clear reason for the change and a firm alternative date if the original schedule cannot be restored, noting that no new date has been announced yet. Committee chairperson Radha Mohan Das Agarwal told PTI that he was not aware of the letter and does not discuss committee meeting issues in public.

Context

Parliamentary standing committees routinely review pressing public issues and government policies across various sectors. While air pollution remains part of the panel's broader annual programme, sudden changes to meeting agendas often spark political debate over legislative priorities.