Strange that environment ministry not accepting studies linking mortality to pollution: Panel

NEW DELHI: A house panel on Monday said it was "strange" that environment ministry was not ready to "accept" studies linking mortality with air pollution as it recommended restricting use of personal vehicles through an efficient and cost effective public transport system.

The parliamentary panel also asked the government to encourage clean vehicle technologies through "fiscal incentives".

The committee on Demands for Grants (2015-16) of the environment ministry noted that the problem of air pollution is "real, widespread and critical" which also finds support in studies conducted by Central Pollution Control Board and other government agencies itself.

The committee found it "strange and ironical" that the environment ministry is neither ready to "rely on or accept" epidemiological studies linking mortality with air pollution conducted by reputed international institutes nor "inclined" to accept findings of CPCB.

"The committee recommends urgent remedial and purposive action within a specified time frame to address the grave and critical challenge of deteriorating ambient air quality...

"...which has serious consequences for the health and well being of our citizens in derogation of their constitutional right to a better quality of life, free from avoidable diseases as guaranteed under article 21 of the Constitution," the committee noted.

The committee chaired by former Union minister Ashwani Kumar has also recommended the introduction of a toll free common helpline telephone number on a national-level for making complaints against those agencies and individuals found polluting the environment.

"The committee recommends that the government try to restrict the use of personal vehicles through an efficient and cost effective public transport system and also encourage clean vehicle technologies through fiscal incentives," the committee said.

The panel felt that the environment ministry should advise civic agencies in Delhi and other metropolitan cities to shift to vacuum cleaning and till that is in place, to clean and sweep roads during nights after sprinkling water so that dust settles down by morning.

The committee has also urged the government to safely dispose dust collected and strictly enforce ban on burning of stubble leafs, garbage and other waste material like tyre, polythene and ensure safe and scientific disposal of construction and demolition waste.