Parliament Winter Session ends without debate on air crisis, AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj slams BJP over pollution, more

The top focus of this episode of 5 Live is on North India's severe air pollution crisis. Despite deteriorating air quality in the national capital, the Winter Session of the Parliament ended with no debate on pollution. Both Houses of Parliament have been adjourned sine die, without any discussion taking place on the issue of pollution. Meanwhile, amid the crisis, a political blame game has unfolded. AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj has slammed the ruling BJP proDelhi government for taking steps to curb air pollution. He claimed a 93 per cent reduction in stubble burning in Punjab, while accusing the Centre of commercialising the Aravalli range. Conversely, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended its actions, citing the repair of 2650 kilometers of roads, construction bans, and the use of anti-smog guns. The report also addressed a statement by Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh, who said there is no conclusive data to directly link pollution and lung disease. Dr. Arvind Kumar, Chairman of the Institute of Chest Surgery at Medanta, countered this, presenting evidence of 'black deposits' on the lungs of non-smokers and teenagers.