In a significant intervention during the winter session of Parliament, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) parliamentary party leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu has called for tough measures to tackle India’s pollution crisis. Speaking on the issue, the Narasaraopet MP cited international examples and said, ‘If it is compared with cities like Shanghai, Beijing or even Mexico City… they made a lot of changes… very difficult changes.’ He stressed that ‘any half-hearted smog fight’ would not be enough for New Delhi. The BJP ally’s comments come a day after another TDP MP Appalanaidu Kallisetti cycled to Parliament House wearing a mask to highlight the hazardous air quality. The report notes growing uneasiness among MPs from all parties over the severe levels of pollution in the national capital.

In a special report on Delhi’s worsening air crisis, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta faced a hostile reception at the Arun Jaitley Stadium during an event with football legend Lionel Messi. The audience was heard chanting ‘AQI, AQI’ and cheering the Chief Minister, highlighting public anger over the severe pollution. Addressing the crisis, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa issued an apology saying, ‘I want to apologize to the people of Delhi… It is not possible for any elected government to completely reduce pollution levels within 9-10 months.’ Sirsa also announced strict measures, including a ban on fuel for vehicles without valid pollution under control (PUCC) certificates ‘from tomorrow’. The program includes India Today’s Sneha Mordani’s analysis on the gaps in planning and the need for a long-term strategy in the National Capital Region.

In this news bulletin, India Today’s Srishti Oja details the legal strategy of the Goa Police as they produce the Luthra brothers, Saurabh and Gaurav, in Delhi’s Patiala House Court. Following their deportation from Thailand, the police will seek transit remand to take the accused back to Goa to investigate the Birch fire at Romeo Lane nightclub, which claimed 25 lives. Srishti Oja reports that police will oppose any relief, arguing that ‘the allegations against the brothers are serious and they are extremely serious.’ Prosecutors are expected to uncover that the club was operating without valid permits, noting that ‘a number of licenses, including holiday agreements and business licenses, had already expired.’ The report also makes reference to the earlier rejection of anticipatory bail by a Delhi court (Rohini Court) given the magnitude of the tragedy and the flight risk of the accused.

In this news bulletin, India Today’s Moshami Singh reports on the growing political confrontation over the new rural employment bill. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a scathing attack on the Modi government’s proposed ‘Developed India – Guarantee for Employment and Livelihoods Mission (Rural)’ (VB-G RAM-G) Bill, which will replace the historic MNREGA. Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of having a ‘deep dislike for two things, the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi and the rights of the poor’. Controversy erupted after Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan introduced the bill in the Lok Sabha, in protest against which opposition MPs took out a march from Makar Dwar to Gandhi Statue. Moshmi Singh highlighted that the opposition planned to fight the bill ‘sadak se sansad’ (from road to parliament), calling the government’s move an attempt to weaken the rural employment guarantee. This section explores the key provisions of the new law and the opposition’s strategy to block its passage during the winter session.