80% Delhi-NCR households have one or more individuals struggling due to toxic air: Survey
New Delhi (PTI):Eight in 10 Delhi-NCR households have one or more individuals who faced difficulty with toxic air in the last four weeks, while four in 10 households had four or more individuals falling sick due to it, according to a survey by LocalCircles.
The survey asked residents on Delhi NCR, "How many members of your household (including kids) in Delhi NCR have struggled with toxic air or pollution in the last four weeks?"
Out of 18,253 Delhi NCR residents who responded to the question, 36 per cent said four or more individuals in their household have been affected by the toxic air in the last four weeks.
At least 21 one per cent indicated two to three members in their household were affected, while the same percentage of respondents indicated one individual was facing pollution-related issues.
The survey received over 53,000 responses from residents of Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad.
Of the total, 61 per cent respondents were men, while 39 per cent respondents were women.
LocalCircles is a digital community-based platform.
A blanket of smog has persisted over the city since Diwali, with air quality oscillating between the "poor" and "very poor" categories, and occasionally slipping into the "severe" zone.
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Shivakumar says Hate Speech Bill to safeguard constitutional values, hits back at BJP
Belagavi (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said that a bill to curb hate speech was to safeguard constitutional values and curb provocative political discourse.
He also hit out the opposition BJP for criticising the bill.
The state government on Wednesday tabled in the Assembly the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crime (Prevention) Bill that proposed a jail term of up to 10 years and a maximum fine of Rs 1 lakh.
Speaking to reporters at the Belagavi Circuit House, Shivakumar said the opposition had no reason to object it.
"If the BJP refrains from indulging in hate speech, everything will be fine. They have been the pioneers of creating hostility, be it through caste-based, religious, or personal attacks," he said.
He argued that the bill aims to reinforce constitutional principles, countering the BJP's allegation that it is being introduced to target political opponents.
"Let the BJP conduct itself as per constitutional values. This legislation is meant to safeguard the Constitution," the Deputy Chief Minister said.
Speaking about Karnataka State Cricket Association's request to hold cricket matches at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which is suspended following June 4 stampede that killed 13 people, Shivakumar confirmed that the issue would be taken up in Thursday's Cabinet meeting.
Calling the stampede at the stadium unfortunate, he said, "Such an incident should never have happened. Several mistakes have taken place and they must be rectified in line with proper guidelines. My only wish is that the reputation of Karnataka should not be tarnished."
