As India's air pollution crisis deepens, a massive Rs 858 crore allocated for pollution control in 2024-25 remains unutilised—stuck in bureaucratic limbo. A parliamentary panel has flagged this alarming delay, blaming the Union Environment Ministry for failing to approve the continuation of the scheme.
In a report tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests, and Climate Change expressed shock at the government's inaction.
-
Indian Markets Turning Corner After Two Tough Years, Says Sandeep Tandon -
NDTV Profit Ignite 2026: Experts See Opportunity In Equities, Stay Bullish For Long-Term -
Buy Right, Sit Tight Does Not Work for Individual Stocks, Says Dinshaw Irani -
'Worst Is Behind': Quant MF Sees Market Bottom, Flags 'Extreme Euphoria' In Midcaps -
India's Mutual Fund Industry Could Become A $1 Trillion Opportunity, Say Fund Managers -
'Foreign Investors Are Baraatis': Raamdeo Agrawal's Take On LTCG Tax -
Stay Invested Through Market Cycles: Raamdeo Agrawal at NDTV Profit Ignite -
Ramesh Damani Remains Bullish On India For Next 20-30 Years, Sees Bargains Amid Market Weakness -
CAS Came After A Long Consultation Process: SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey AT NDTV PROFIT IGNITE -
Aim To Cut FPI Onboarding Time From Mth To Five Days: SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey AT NDTV PROFI
"In such a scenario, the committee is shocked to note that the amount, to the tune of Rs 858 crore allocated for 'Control of Pollution', which is 27.44% of the annual revised allocation of the ministry, remains unutilised since the approval for continuation of the Control of Pollution Scheme till 2025-26 is awaited," the 31-member panel, led by BJP MP Bhubaneswar Kalita, stated.
The report paints a grim picture of India's pollution crisis, highlighting how worsening air quality is not just Delhi's problem anymore—it has spread to cities across the country.
The 'Control of Pollution' scheme is a key initiative under which the Centre provides financial assistance to pollution control boards and the National Clean Air Programme. The NCAP aims to reduce particulate pollution in 131 highly polluted cities by 40% by 2026 (compared to 2019-20 levels).
Yet, due to bureaucratic hurdles, not even 1% of the allocated funds have been utilised so far. "At a time when the ministry is required to address the grave and critical challenge of deteriorating air quality, the ministry has not been able to decide the continuation of the concerned scheme, as a result of which not even 1% of the funds allocated for the scheme have been utilised so far," the panel pointed out.
The panel also raised concerns over the low survival rate of trees planted under afforestation drives, questioning whether these initiatives are truly effective.
"There is a need not only to plant the trees but also to ensure that once planted, they are looked after well and continue to survive and grow… There is also a need for an audit of the plantation activities so that the allocations made in this regard are utilised optimally," the report noted.
(With inputs from PTI).
Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.