The national capital of the country has been struggling to breathe fresh air and the situation is getting worse with every passing day. It has been months that the city has been battling the incessant rise in air pollution. Schools have been shut and the Air Quality Index levels have gone to ‘severe’. A health emergency was also declared in Delhi earlier.
Looking at the deteriorating air quality, a high-level meeting of Parliamentary Standing Committee of Urban Development was called, reports TOI. But looks like the air outside was too foul for some top officials and they decided to skip the meeting. Although the schedule of the meeting was sent to the members before-hand, only five officers were present at the meeting. Since no senior officials turned up for it, the committee had to cancel the meeting.
#UPDATE Parliamentary Standing Committee of Urban Development meeting has been postponed as 3 commissioners of MCD, Vice-Chairman of DDA, Secretary/Joint Secretary of Environment did not attend meeting. The Committee has taken serious note against the officers. https://t.co/RgpeXnboRT
— ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2019
Three MCD commissioners, Vice-Chairman of DDA, Secretary/Joint Secretary of Environment reportedly did not attend the meeting. The Standing Committee has taken serious note against the officer’s absence.
Such is the level of seriousness around pollution among policymakers that the Urban Development Parliamentary committee meeting this morning on pollution had to be cancelled because MCD, DDA, Environment ministry officials didn’t even bother to show up. Only 4 MPs came. Shameful.
— Rahul Kanwal (@rahulkanwal) November 15, 2019
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar also said that he will look into the matter. “I will look into it and find out why people didn’t turn up for the Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting on Delhi pollution.”
#NewsAlert – I will look into it and find out why people didn’t turn up for the Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting on Delhi pollution: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar. #RightToBreathe pic.twitter.com/0u8XNYlspd
— CNNNews18 (@CNNnews18) November 15, 2019
The meeting was attended by only 4 MPs. Among those not attending the meet was East Delhi’s MP, Gautam Gambhir. The parliamentarian was later snapped in Indore where he was seen savouring ‘Jalebis’. He was in the city to commentate for India-Bangladesh match.
Kabhi pohe se teekhe, kabhi jalebi se meethe … wonderful start to the day in Indoor, where we had breakfast outdoor 😛 pic.twitter.com/DxIPtNqYi7
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 15, 2019
Nevertheless, the internet reacted harshly and trolled Gambhir for his absence to the extent that #ShameOnGautamGambhir was trending on Twitter.
So, honourable MP of Delhi Gautam Gambhir has all the time to do commentary and enjoy in Indore but no time to attend the meeting of Parliamentary Standing Committee of Urban Development over severe air pollution in Delhi.
Commentary pays, meetings don’t anyway! pic.twitter.com/WmdjLPT1j2
— Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) November 15, 2019
Meanwhile, @GautamGambhir the only Delhi MP part of the committee enjoying Poha in Indore (India Bangladesh Test Match)
He skipped the meeting on Pollution even as his constituency chokes.Only four people turned up: Jagdambika Pal, Hasnain Masoodi, CR Patil & @SanjayAzadSln pic.twitter.com/ombpFdN1u5
— Zeba Warsi (@Zebaism) November 15, 2019
I thought @GautamGambhir will attend urban development parliamentary committee meeting on Pollution today
but no i was wrong.I am your big fan but this time i have to say #ShameOnGautamGambhir— Remo (@Remo67014602) November 15, 2019
Gautam Gambhir has his priorities sorted, Delhi is choking n he is absconding n bunking critical meetings for cricket commentary n parallely mocking Kejriwal #hypocrisy #ShameOnGautamGambhir
— Bose (@_thebose) November 15, 2019
Sad commentary!Instead of attending crucial pollution meet in Delhi,BJP MP @GautamGambhir busy giving commentary on #IndiaVsBangladesh test match & giving “jalebi” smiles while Delhi gasps! #ShameOnGautamGambhir @aipcsouthmumbai @digvijaya_28 @nandtara @farabruiser @RiaRevealed
— sanjiv batra (@batrasanjiv) November 15, 2019
Delhites breathing smog and @GautamGambhir enjoying jalebi#ShameOnGautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/8qoWBtN5C7
— Mukesh Mittal (@hallagullaboy) November 15, 2019
#ShameOnGautamGambhir@GautamGambhir
Pic 1. In odd days 👈
Pic 2. In even days 👈 pic.twitter.com/hZlztPDReP
— Ravinish (@Er_Ravinishpal) November 15, 2019
Dear @GautamGambhir we really can't forget your two match winning knocks on 2 major grand ICC finals but here in politics you're not doing fine as you did in 2 world cups. #ShameOnGautamGambhir
— Shubh (@_iamshub_) November 15, 2019
@GautamGambhir Sir I have supported you during Loksabha elections. You should be on-road protesting against pollution in Delhi as State government as well as the central government doing nothing to solve the problem. But seems like you have many other priorities other than Delhi
— Sandeep Goyal (@imsandeepgoyal) November 15, 2019
Meanwhile Delhites to Gautam Gambhir who skipped meeting on tackling Air Pollution pic.twitter.com/7wP8fc2K9S
— Garv (@imgarvmalik) November 15, 2019
Hello @GautamGambhir hows the pollution there, you must be breathing safely!
— Nilesh Shekokar (@nileshshekokar) November 15, 2019
#Delhi is choking but #gautamgambhir enjoying in Indore.
The MP should come to Delhi and ATTEND MEETINGS on AIR POLLUTION which was cancelled because
❌MCD
❌DDA
❌Environment Ministry
❌MP's of Delhinone of the officials SHOWED UP!#DelhiAirPollution #BJP #arvindkejriwal pic.twitter.com/5N1KS8AfKt
— Purvin Mistry (@purvinmistry) November 15, 2019
The cricketer responded to the trolls with a lengthy note. In the note, he wrote extensively about the work he has done since being voted in, but also mentioned that he has a family to support. He further adds that he had committed to his commercial engagements before he became an MP.
My work will speak for itself!
P.S. Agar mujhe gaali dene se Dilli ka pollution kam hoga to AAP jee bhar ke gaali dijiye. cc: Trolls pic.twitter.com/bRyYoFB02c
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) November 15, 2019
Earlier the Delhi Govt had issued a list of ‘Do’s & Don’ts’ to combat pollution. At this point in time where the lives of millions of people in Delhi are at stake, it is time government officials prioritize public health and make every effort to combat air pollution. What did you think of the entire episode? Tell us.