New Delhi, Dec 4: The Winter Session of Parliament entered a tense fourth day on Thursday, with the Opposition intensifying its criticism over Delhi–NCR’s spiralling air pollution, even as the government prepared to table key financial legislation in the Lok Sabha.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to introduce the Health Security and National Security Cess Bill, 2025 for consideration and passage. However, before the House could take up the Bill, Opposition MPs staged a protest at Makar Dwar, accusing the Centre of failing to address a growing public health crisis.
Congress MPs Push for Suspension of Business
Two Congress MPs, Vijay Vasanth and Manish Tewari, filed separate adjournment notices demanding that Parliament suspend routine business to debate the pollution emergency. Vijay Vasanth described Delhi as an “open-air gas chamber,” with toxic air causing long-term health issues even in children and young adults. He called for a national public health emergency, restoration of all air quality monitoring stations, action against major polluters, and a science driven national clean air plan.
Vasanth also highlighted that only nine of Delhi’s 37 monitoring stations were functional during Diwali, depriving authorities of critical real-time data at the peak of pollution.
Manish Tewari Warns of Life Threatening Risks
Manish Tewari reinforced the Opposition’s stance, calling for suspension of Question Hour, Zero Hour, and all listed business. He described Delhi–NCR and the Indo-Gangetic Plain as “lethal gas chambers,” warning that residents could lose up to seven years of life expectancy. Tewari cited doctors reporting rising lung cancer cases among non-smokers and noted irreversible lung and brain damage in children, along with respiratory difficulties in the elderly.
Tewari emphasized that the crisis is no longer seasonal but a “continuing calamity,” urging coordinated action between the Centre and states.
Parliamentary Business Continues Despite Protests
Despite the protests, routine business continued. MPs Jugal Kishore and Sanjay Jaiswal were scheduled to present the Seventh Report of the Committee on Estimates (2025–26) on schemes including PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Other standing committee reports on consumer affairs, food distribution, labour, textiles, and skill development were also expected to be tabled.
Government Withdraws Sanchar Saathi App Directive
Separately, the Centre withdrew its directive requiring smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app, following criticism from Opposition parties and civil liberties groups over privacy concerns.