Four-fold increase in pollution-related health claims in India in three years

According to a Business Standard report, a more than four-fold increase has been observed in pollution-linked health claims in India over the last three years. This revelation has come to light through insurance company data, showing that due to rising pollution, people's health is being severely affected and they are being forced to make insurance claims for hospital expenses.

On the other hand, air quality in Delhi and the NCR area is continuously worsening and people are struggling for clean air. Amid this grim situation, according to a Hindustan Times report, a parliamentary committee has dropped the major issue of air pollution in the NCR from the agenda of its 17 November meeting, prompting a Congress member to strongly object against the committee chairperson.

Congress MP Ajay Maken wrote a letter to committee chairperson Radha Mohan Das Agarwal on this issue, stating that Delhi's air pollution crisis should be treated as a public health emergency. The parliamentary committee on home affairs had earlier decided to hear and discuss the views of the Ministry of Home Affairs and related agencies on this issue. The committee had circulated the agenda among its members on 5 November, which included the issue of air pollution, but later this subject was removed from its revised agenda.

When asked about Ajay Maken's letter, chairperson Radha Mohan Das Agarwal told PTI that he is unaware of the letter. He also said that he does not discuss matters related to committee meetings in public. According to the previous agenda, the meeting was scheduled to be held on 17 November at 2 pm, but it has been removed in the revised notice and it has instead been decided to hear the views of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways as well as the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Ajay Maken stated in his letter that if restoring the hearing is not possible, then please fix an alternative date at the earliest with the reason for the change and inform about it. He has also spoken about the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) index, stating that a reading of 500 is a limit and not the actual reading, because the CPCB index is capped at 500.

Meanwhile, the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) stated regarding pre-Diwali pollution in Delhi that Delhi's firecracker sales this Diwali were approximately ₹300 crore. In a letter written to political parties, the trade body stated that firecrackers are unfairly blamed for pollution and drew attention to the AQI of 350 to 400 before Diwali. The body has demanded action against stubble burning and a middle path of low and green firecrackers.

Due to the worsening air situation in Delhi-NCR, GRAP-3 restrictions have been implemented on the directives of the central government's Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). According to an Aaj Tak report, due to this, polluting vehicles have been banned in Delhi-NCR.

As soon as GRAP-3 rules came into force, running old and high-smoke-emitting vehicles on the road has been banned in Delhi, including Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad. In Delhi, a complete ban has been imposed on BS-3 petrol cars and BS-4 diesel cars. These vehicles will also not be allowed to run in Noida and Greater Noida.

However, some vehicles have been given relief under GRAP-3 rules. These include BS-6 petrol and diesel cars. Apart from this, BS-4 petrol cars, BS-3 and BS-4 petrol bikes and scooters have also received exemption. There is no restriction on all CNG and electric vehicles. Specially modified vehicles for the private use of persons with disabilities have also not been banned.

More strictness has been imposed on commercial and goods vehicles. The entry of BS-4 and below diesel light and medium goods vehicles coming from outside states into Delhi has been banned. Additionally, the exemption has also been withdrawn from some vehicles carrying essential goods.