A suggestion: E-rickshaws be allowed in Parliament

NEW DELHI: Battery-operated e-rickshaws should be allowed inside Parliament to help reduce pollution.

This suggestion was today made by Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs M Venkaiah Naidu, albiet in lighter vein, during a debate in Lok Sabha on a bill that provides for allowing e-rickshaws in Delhi and other places.

Naidu said if e-rickshaws are allowed in Parliament House premises, he and Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge can travel together in the eco-friendly vehicle to attend House proceedings.

"Then, there will be no pollution in Parliament," he quipped.

Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot joined in by saying Naidu can fit into these light vehicles but Kharge will have to reduce weight if he wants to travel with Naidu.

Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, who was piloting the bill, referred to himself, saying four people like him could travel in e-rickshaw as he has lost 40 kg after a weight-reducing surgery done two years ago.

He said once when petrol prices rose substantially, Chandra Shekhar and others came to Parliament on bicycles.

The Transport Minister, however, said he cannot allow plying e-rickshaws in certain places.