Jaya Bachchan’s ‘undeclared emergency’ jibe at centre in parliament
New Delhi: Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan on Thursday launched a sharp attack at the centre during a debate on pollution in parliament. The senior leader, while demanding that an "environmental emergency" be imposed to tackle a sharp rise in pollution levels in north India, remarked that there was already an "undeclared emergency" in the country.
"Environmental emergency...sir please do that...there is an undeclared emergency already, but we need to do this very seriously. Please declare this, and please penalise people and don't just blame farmers," she said in the Rajya Sabha or upper house.
Jaya Bachchan also took potshots at MPs who gave the debate a miss.
"The attendance in the House shows how seriously we are taking this issue. The participation is fantastic...for such a serious cause," she said sarcastically, pointing at the empty benches in Rajya Sabha.
In the debate, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said a comprehensive air plan for Delhi and surrounding areas has been developed to tackle pollution.
"In order to abate and control air pollution in Delhi NCR, we have undertaken several initiatives. A high-level task force was constituted under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister. Regular review meetings have been held," he said.
A comprehensive air plan for Delhi-NCR has been developed identifying the timelines and implementing agencies for actions delineated. Centre has notified a graded response action plan for Delhi-NCR for different levels of pollution," added the minister.
Since the Diwali festival last month, pollution in Delhi has regularly hit hazardous levels, triggering health concerns among people. The burning of stubble by farmers in neighbouring Haryana and Punjab have exacerbated pollution. On Thursday, air quality in many places of the national capital remained in the severe zone.
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Asha Bhosle's last rites to be held with state honours in Mumbai's Shivaji Park
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Mumbai (PTI): The last rites of legendary singer Asha Bhosle will be performed at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Monday afternoon with state honours.
The 92-year-old singer who ruled Bollywood for over seven decades with her wide range of memorable songs passed away on Sunday due to multi-organ failure at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai.
Later, her mortal remains were brought to her residence in Lower Parel.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid last respects to Bhosle at her residence on Sunday evening and offered floral tributes.
State Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, along with legislators Sunil Shinde and Prasad Lad, also paid their respects.
"Asha Bhosle will be accorded a state funeral, which will take place at 4 pm on April 13," Shelar said.
The singer's son, Anand, said people can pay their last respects to her at 11 am on Monday at Casa Grande, Lower Parel, where she lived.
"Her last rites will be performed at 4 pm on Monday at Shivaji Park," he told reporters.
Ashatai, as the legendary singer was popularly known, was a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan and Maharashtra Bhushan awards.
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