New Delhi, November 15: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Gautam Gambhir and several other lawmakers skipped a high-level parliamentary meeting called to discuss the severe air pollution in Delhi. Gautam Gambhir was the only MP from Delhi who was on the list of attendees. Actor-politician Hema Malini, the BJP MP from Mathura, Rajya Sabha MP MJ Akbar and Congress MP Digvijaya Singh too gave the meeting a miss. As only four MPs, out of the 29 on the list, turned up, the meeting was postponed. Delhi Air Pollution: Arvind Kejriwal Says Decision on Odd-Even Scheme Will Be Taken on Monday as Air Quality Expected to Improve in 2-3 Days.
BJP MP Jagadamika Pal, who heads the parliamentary committee, said that he had taken strong objection to other MPs absence, adding that he will take up the matter to the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Besides lawmakers, key officials including Environment Secretary, Forest Secretary, the Secretary dealing with climate change, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) representative and the three chiefs of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi also skipped the meeting. Delhi Air Pollution: 'How Do People Breathe?' Supreme Court Asks Delhi Govt, Says Odd-Even May Not Be the Solution.
Reacting to the absence of MPs from the key meeting on Delhi pollution, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said that he will investigate and take the necessary action. "You have told me about this. I will find out the details and investigate. We are always very serious about pollution. I have emphasised that pollution is not only Delhi's problem. I have ordered a joint action plan. Teams are working with coordination," Javadekar said.
AAP Tweets on Gautam Gambhir's Absence From Meeting on Delhi Air Pollution:
Instead of sitting in commentary box and enjoying...
We challenge @GautamGambhir to stop playing blame games over pollution and ATTEND MEETINGS ON AIR POLLUTION which he skipped
Contempt of Court! Strict action should be taken against all absentees!#ShameOnGautamGambhir https://t.co/KrA6NtoOQH pic.twitter.com/dXOycuaYSP
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) November 15, 2019
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) hit out at Gautam Gambhir for not attending the meeting. "The agenda for Friday's meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee was circulated a week back, which clearly stated that the objective was to discuss air pollution in Delhi-NCR. However, East Delhi MP Gautam Gambhir did not attend it," a tweet by AAP said. "Delhi is choking and Gambhir is busy enjoying in Indore," the party added.
Gambhir hit back at the AAP and highlight works he has done. He said that his commercial engagements before he became an MP cannot hide "incompetence and political greed of their leaders".
Here's Gautam Gambhir's Statement:
BJP MP and former cricketer Gautam Gambhir issues a statement on him missing the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Urban Development meeting today, in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/FN3ETzmg07
— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2019
Gambhir, Member of Parliament from East Delhi, is currently in Indore as a commentator for the India vs Bangladesh cricket match. He was seen enjoying Jalebi in Indore.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 15, 2019 04:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).