Senior Congress leader Ajay Maken has written to the chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs (PSC‑Home) demanding that the scheduled hearing on Delhi air‑quality be reinstated. He calls the omission of the topic from the agenda for 17 November 2026 a public health emergency.
Key Developments
- The original public notice dated 5 November 2026 listed a hearing on ‘Air pollution in Delhi‑NCR: Enforcement of regulatory measures, effective implementation of GRAP measures, protection of vulnerable sections and coordination among agencies.
- A revised notice on 6 November 2026 removed the air‑pollution item without giving any reason or an alternate date.
- Ajay Maken appealed to the committee chair Radha Mohan Das Agarwal to either restore the hearing on 17 Nov 2026 or announce the earliest possible date, along with an explanation for the change.
Important Facts
The hearing was to involve the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and other concerned agencies. No alternative schedule has been communicated. The omission has drawn criticism because Delhi’s air‑quality regularly exceeds safe limits, especially during winter, posing severe health risks.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the role of parliamentary committees like the PSC‑Home is essential for GS‑2 (Polity). The issue highlights the intersection of environmental governance (GS‑3), public health (GS‑1), and ethical considerations for protecting vulnerable sections. The reference to GRAP measures illustrates how policy tools are activated during a public health emergency. Candidates should note how the judiciary, especially the Supreme Court, can intervene when executive action stalls.
Way Forward
For the committee to address the crisis, it should:
- Restore the hearing on 17 November 2026 or schedule an earlier date.
- Demand a detailed status report from the Ministry of Home Affairs on implementation gaps in GRAP measures.
- Ensure coordination among law‑enforcement, health, and environmental agencies to protect vulnerable sections.
- Seek judicial guidance if the executive fails to act promptly.
Timely parliamentary oversight can translate into concrete actions that mitigate air‑pollution and safeguard public health.