Pollution Control Funds Largely Unused, Panel Flags Concerns
The Environment Ministry is under scrutiny after a parliamentary panel revealed that it had utilized less than 1% of the ₹858 crore allocated for pollution control in the financial year 2024–25. The finding has raised alarms about administrative inefficiencies and delayed implementation of crucial environmental programs, particularly at a time when urban air quality continues to deteriorate.
The parliamentary standing committee on science and technology, environment, forests, and climate change expressed its dismay over the lack of fund utilization. It urged the ministry to conduct “a serious introspection” and take immediate action to rectify the issue.
Delays Tied to Pending Approvals
According to the ministry, the underutilization stems from delays in obtaining approval for the continuation of the ‘Control of Pollution’ scheme. Officials stated that the scheme’s performance in the previous two fiscal years had seen full utilization of allotted budgets. However, the failure to spend even a fraction of the allocated amount in the current fiscal has raised questions about preparedness and planning.
The ‘Control of Pollution’ scheme is a cornerstone of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which aims to achieve a 20–30% reduction in particulate matter levels in 131 cities by 2026. Of these, 82 ‘non-attainment’ cities—those that have consistently failed to meet national air quality standards—are the main focus of the funding.
Impact on Clean Air Goals
From 2019–20 to 2025–26, a total of ₹3,072 crore has been designated for these 82 cities. The parliamentary panel warned that without efficient fund deployment, key targets of the NCAP may be compromised. It emphasized the urgency of securing timely approvals and ensuring that pollution control projects are implemented without bureaucratic bottlenecks.
This revelation has added pressure on the Environment Ministry to not only resolve administrative hurdles but also to demonstrate tangible progress in combating one of India’s most pressing public health and environmental issues—air pollution.
