Onion crisis in Delhi
New Delhi is known as the fourth most polluted
city in the world. The au thorities are trying their best to make Delhi
green and have succeeded in certain areas and it is a treat to walk around
those places. If all Delhites become civic minded and cooperate with the
councils Delhi will certainly be a better place to live in.
Air pollution claims 10,000 lives each year and one out of three children
suffer form asthmatic and bronchial problems that are directly caused by
the toxic air they are forced to breathe.
It is said that 70% of Delhi's air pollution is due to vehicular emissions,
a cumulative impact of over 27 lakhs in vehicles. The good news for Delhi
is that by end of December 31,800 vehicles, trishaws, buses, taxis and
trucks will go off the road. thanks to a Supreme Court order. It has been
found that commercial vehicles operators are the biggest pollution culprits
as their vehicles do not meet pollution control standards.
The Motor Vehicle Act bans plying of vehicles over 15 years in use.
But it was not enforced so far due to the lack of political will. We all
know why, as votes count a lot more than deaths in any country.
Sri Lanka is no exception. However, the government had no choice as
it had to act on a Court decision this time. The Public Interest Petition
regarding vehicle pollution was filed in 1985 and the verdict was given
this year in 1998. After thirteen long years. The latest news is that vehicles
operators are ganging up to beat the BJP led Delhi State Government in
the next elections.
The commercial vehicle owners argue that three lakhs of families, of
owners, drivers and helpers will be on the road as the government has ruled
out paying any compensation. The vehicle operators have expressed their
willingness to change engines every 7 years.
But the environmentalists say it is a pointless exercise as it will
not be followed and they also question why now after the verdict?
Transporters argue that man cannot live on fresh air alone and the green
guys hit back with a surprise, "can you let Ten Million be poisoned?."
This situation applies to our country and it will be worse in Colombo
due to the increasing numbers of diesel vehicles, specially vans and trucks.
In the recent past more people have switched to vans and more vehicles
are coming in.
The grand old vehicles still remain on the roads. Hold ups on roads
are many and roads do not improve. The legal eagles of the Environmental
Foundation, Ravi Algama and Lalanath de Silva must take note. What about
a public interest petition?
I prefer street walks with love and fresh air. Don't you?
Man cannot live without water, air, shelter and man cannot live without
onions. We need onions for our daily food, for our seeni sambal and
katta sambal and other dishes. Chicken Tikka is tasteless without
onions.
Medical experts have found out that people who consume more onions live
longer and onions are a long life recipe. But my Delhi is facing an onion
crisis these days. Delhites are paying through their noses and purses for
a kilo of onions, a staggering Rs. 40 per Kilo. (Rs. 64- SL). Many reasons
are given for this shortage.
Delhi depends on Nashik for its supply of onions which has had a freak
rainfall. No rains, no onions, but the consumption of onions has increased.
Nobody knows why.
The government has decided to import 10,000 tons of onions from Dubai
for the very first time. However it is not likely to have an immediate
impact on the price of onions and people will have to wait long for their
onions feasts.
Hope Sri Lanka will not face a major onion crisis due to problems on
the onion route. What will the orator, Minister Kingsley Tissa Wickremaratne
who gave us the taste of 'Satha Panahe Paan' do if we face a crisis? Will
he talk of cabbages and kings when it is all about onions and people.
STOP OVER: Indian President K.R. Narayanan's grand daughter's name is
Chandrika and Ms. Narayan refuses to forget the gesture of our Chandrika
to the little Chandrika of India. When our CBK heard that Ms. Narayanan's
grand daughter was her namesake she had sent a special autograph to the
girl. So they simply love her. So do I. After-all she is my President.
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