Deadly political calculations: Why India isn't fixing its toxic smog problem
Source: Reuters
WORLD NEWS NOVEMBER 6, 2018 / 11:10 AM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO
Deadly political calculations: Why India isn't fixing its toxic smog problem
Neha Dasgupta, Mayank Bhardwaj
8 MIN READ
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This is despite the extensive coverage of the capital’s pollution crisis by local media, including numerous warnings from doctors about massive health hazards, especially for children, the sick and the elderly.
The apparent lack of concern about the toxic air - whether through ignorance, apathy or the blinding impact of poverty -gives federal and local politicians the cover they need for failing to vigorously address the problem, said pollution activists, social scientists and political experts.
Neither the governing party at federal level nor the main opposition are in power in the capital, giving them little incentive to cooperate with the city authorities.
And while Delhi may have a population of more than 20 million, its importance at voting time - a national election is due by May next year - is insignificant in comparison with states such as neighboring Uttar Pradesh, which has 220 million.
“The tragedy is that there is no political will at all either on the part of the federal government or the state government of Delhi and, as a result, we can see both blaming each other for the crisis that we are in,” said Yogendra Yadav, a political polling expert. “Whatever little government action you get to see is because of the pressure that environmental activists and the Supreme Court get to exert.”
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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-pollution-politics-insight/deadly-political-calculations-why-india-isnt-fixing-its-toxic-smog-problem-idUSKCN1NB215