Cong cites agri minister's remarks on stubble burning, says 'vilification of farmers' must stop
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday cited Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's remarks that studies have established that stubble burning contributes no more than 5 per cent to pollution in Delhi-NCR, to hit out at the environment ministry, and asserted that the "vilification of farmers" must stop.
Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Chouhan said stubble burning is not the only cause of pollution, as scientific studies have established that it contributes no more than 5 per cent to pollution in Delhi-NCR even during winter.
Ramesh said in recent years, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has often blamed paddy-stubble burning by farmers in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for the winter pollution crisis in Delhi and other parts of north India.
"Today, in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare stated categorically that paddy stubble burning is responsible for just around 5 per cent of the pollution load. The vilification of farmers for causing pollution must stop," the former environment minister said in a post on X.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
