Live: Lok Sabha discusses issue of air pollution in Delhi for 3rd day

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday asked Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani to prepare a diet chart for pregnant women and provide it to all members for circulation in their respective constituencies.

"We should make a collective effort to end malnutrition in the country. If we can create a mass movement to end malnutrition in the country...I hope it will be eradicated by the last session of this (17th) Lok Sabha," he said during Question Hour.

India generates more than 25,000 tonnes of plastic waste everyday, 40 per cent of which remains uncollected and littered in the environment, the Centre informed the Lok Sabha on Friday.

In a written response to a question in the Lower House, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said the demand of plastic has increased significantly due its increased use in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, which has indirectly resulted into the challenge of plastic waste management.

Lok Sabha proceedings adjourned till 3:30 pm

Speaking on the issue of air pollution in Delhi, environment minister Prakash Javadekar said the expansion of Delhi Metro and construction of new highways were among the measures that have contributed to reducing traffic congestion and therefore, pollution, in the city.

Earlier in the Rajya Sabha, members of Left parties and the BJP clashed over the issue of Jawaharlal Nehru University students' protest against a hike in hostel fees and a draft hostel manual which imposes dress codes and curfew timings.

The issue was raised through a Zero Hour mention by K K Ragesh of the CPI(M) who sought a judicial probe into police action against agitating students.

Immediately after this, Prabhat Jha of the BJP raised the issue of "defacement" of a yet-to-be-unveiled statue of Swami Vivekananda on the JNU campus.

He then went on to raise issue of alleged anti-India slogans being raised by students of JNU and demanded central government's oversight of activities in JNU. This was strongly countered by Left members.

Ragesh said JNU students have been protesting for over one month demanding roll back of the fee hike and restoration of democratic rights on campus.

He asked why civil liberties were being "suppressed" after declaring an "undeclared emergency".

Environment minister said India is one of the only two nations in the world where the forest cover is increasing.

Replying on the issue of air pollution, environment minister Prakash Javadekar expressed happiness that the issue was being continually discussed for three days. He listed steps and measures taken to tackle the situation.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of Congress spoke on the issue of air pollution in Delhi in Lok Sabha. He said there is need of concerted effort to tackle the issue.

Rajya Sabha proceedings adjourned till 2:30 pm

Lok Sabha will take up proposed amendment to SPG Act next week, says Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in House.

Locket Chatterjee, BJP MP from Hoogly, raised the issue of condition of para-teachers in West Bengal amid ruckus in the Lok Sabha. She raised it as Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of Congress started speaking on the issue of disinvestment in PSUs.

Bill to ban production, import and sale of e-cigarettes and similar products introduced in Lok Sabha. Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan introduced the bill. The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Bill, 2019 seeks to replace an ordinance issued recently.

The government had cited health risk to people, especially youth and issued an ordinance to ban such products.

It seeks jail term of up to three years as well as fine for those violating the law.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said separate time could be earmarked for a detailed discussion on the issue of single use plastic. He said, "this House represents 130 crore people and I think the entire House will agree with the fact that single use plastic should be stopped. If the MPs of India take this resolution then the message will be spread among 130 crore people of our country."

He said this after environment minister Prakash Javadekar said that the government will convene a meeting of environment ministers of all states to discuss the problem of single-use plastic and solid waste management and measures to solve it.

RS chairman M Venkaiah Naidu expressed displeasure over disruptions in the House. He said that members feel that the issues that could not be discussed due to lack of time because of ruckus created in the House could be raised the next day. But from Monday, he added, saying special permission would need to be taken to raise listed issues of the previous day.

Digvijay Singh of Congress and KK Ragesh of Communist Party of India-Marxist have given zero-hour notice in Rajya Sabha over 'fee hike in Jawaharlal Nehru University. '