On Tuesday, a parliamentary panel criticized the Environment Ministry for spending less than 1% of ₹858 crore allotted for pollution control in FY 2024–25. The panel flagged this underutilization despite the worsening air quality in India. It noted the delay was blamed on pending approval for the scheme’s extension, but said such justification was unacceptable so late in the fiscal year.

BulletsIn

• Only ₹7.22 crore of ₹858 crore pollution control fund spent by January 2025.
• Fund meant to tackle air, water, and noise pollution across India.
• Less than 1% utilisation raised alarms in Parliament panel report.
• Ministry cited delay in scheme approval for 2025–26 as reason for inaction.
• Panel not satisfied, called it “gross underutilisation” of urgent funds.
• ₹858 crore forms over 27% of ministry’s yearly budget, still mostly unused.
• Air quality worsening nationwide, not just in Delhi, panel noted.
• Rising AQI linked to public health risks and ecological damage.
• Committee urged urgent action, deeper introspection by the ministry.
• Delay seen as failure to respond to a growing environmental crisis.