New Delhi: CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas criticised Delhi’s worsening pollution crisis, claiming that the average Malayali lives 10 years longer than those residing in northern states under BJP rule, particularly Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Brittas in an interview with ThePrint said the national capital region, despite having a ‘double-engine’ government, has been losing 80-100 days annually to toxic air that not only reduces overall life expectancy but also burdens families with medical bills.
The Rajya Sabha MP spoke on a host of issues including the setback his party received in the recently concluded local body elections in Kerala and the party’s roadmap for the upcoming assembly elections.
“See, the mockery is that, after having a double engine government in Delhi, the double engine working has created more poisonous gas for the people here. Maybe these two engines are working tirelessly, emitting that much pollution. Can you ever think of such an insensitive government here? I’ll tell you. The capital city is losing at least 80 to 100 days on account of this pollution,” Brittas said.
Brittas further added, “…if you look at life expectancy, I always say that the average Malayali has got 10 years more compared to a North Indian…now the gap is further.”
Asked if this is scientifically backed, he said he was quoting data provided by the central government. “Of course, I’m talking about the data provided by this government only, the life expectancy. Life expectancy, all India level, has been going up because we are in a modern era. health, etc. all these things are there. But even now, the gap is 10 years if you compare with Bihar or UP, so the average Malayali is living 10 years more,” he said.
“I’m just underscoring the data available which has been provided by the Government of India, and now with this pollution level in the capital city, the loss, cumulative loss that is going to happen, which has encompassed all the sectors. Think about the children. They’re losing at least 50–70 days. Think about the, I mean, the future of these children, at least,” he said.
Every year with the onset of winters, the air quality in Delhi-NCR plummets to hazardous levels. While stubble fires are a significant contributor to Delhi’s foul air, besides vehicular emissions, construction dust and open-waste burning, a report by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) showed that there was negligible contribution of stubble smoke from neighboring Punjab and Haryana this year. This was also the first time since 2018 that bursting of crackers was allowed in the Capital. The Supreme Court permitted limited sale and bursting of green firecrackers during Diwali, noting that it was an expression of festive spirit but should not lead to damage to health and environment.
Delhi experienced its first severe spell starting 13 December which continued till 15 December with the AQI levels constantly remaining above the 400 mark.
“Has anybody calculated the cumulative loss apart from the health? See, an average Delhiite would be having, say, 10 years’ deficit in his or her life expectancy. Apart from having chronic diseases for the treatment of which thousands and thousands of crores are needed, not even a single step has been taken by the so-called double engine proposition by the central government or the state government,” Brittas added.
He said pollution is impacting even the BJP ministers and the Prime Minister but they are still insensitive to it. “I can say at least what we do is that if something is affecting us, we will act on it. These are things which affect these ministers, the Prime Minister; even then they’re insensitive to it. They are very happy building temples, chanting mantras, but let them at least be concerned with the genuine issues of the people, of life and death. It is a life and death issue,” he added.
The Rajya Sabha MP said the Opposition has been demanding an emergency discussion on the issue but the government has not considered it and has been busy discussing 150 years of the Vande Mataram.
“They can, of course, (discuss) Vande Mataram… for ten hours, twelve hours (in) the Parliament. Is that the vital issue that concerns this nation? Does it in any way affect the people? Morally, emotionally, or physically, health wise, economically, this is such a stupid proposition, an agenda this government is setting for the people, playing into the emotions of people. As I said in the Parliament, this is not a government for governance. This is a grand election machinery on the run,” he said.
On the Kerala local body election, Brittas said it was not a major setback, but admitted that they received a beating. “But it is not as it is being presented by the media. For example the PM of this country posted that what happened in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is a watershed. In effect if you look at Thiruvananthapuram Corporation voting percentage compared to the previous Lok Sabha, BJP has lost something like 50,000 votes there.”
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) clinched a major victory in the Kerala local body polls including the Kochi and Thrissur municipal corporations, with a comeback in crucial urban and rural local bodies.
But according to Brittas, the Congress also lost compared to the Lok Sabha polls. He added that his party is in the process of identifying the major concerns and issues that affected the tally. “Nevertheless, this result doesn’t dishearten us at all. I can tell you that compared to the last Lok Sabha [elections], we have improved drastically, and we hope that we can improve further,” he added. Clearing the air on whether there was any ambiguity over Pinarayi Vijayan becoming the chief minister again if the Left Democratic Front (LDF) wins the elections, Brittas said ‘ambiguity’ remains in the Congress camp.
“In our camp, the present chief minister is going to lead the LDF in the coming elections also..he’s leading, of course he should be the chief minister,” he added.
(Edited by Vidhi Bhutra)
Also read: ‘In census, all should write their religion as Hindu’—VHP president’s appeal