Environment Ministry utilised less than 1% of pollution control funds in FY24: report
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A parliamentary standing committee has raised concerns over the Union Environment Ministry's failure to utilise funds allocated for pollution control.
Despite ₹858 crore being set aside for the ‘Control of Pollution’ scheme in the 2024-25 financial year, the ministry had spent only ₹7.22 crore - less than 1% of the total funds, according to a report presented in Parliament.
The Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests, and Climate Change expressed shock at the underutilisation, questioning why the ministry had failed to take action despite the pressing need to address deteriorating air quality.
In response, environment ministry officials explained that the funds remained unspent as the approval for extending the ‘Control of Pollution’ scheme beyond 2025-26 was still pending. However, they pointed out that in the past two financial years, the entire allocated budget had been used.
Despite this justification, the House panel strongly criticised the ministry’s inaction, stating that at a time when air pollution remains a major public health crisis, the failure to act was unacceptable. The panel urged the ministry to reflect on its shortcomings and take urgent measures to prevent further delays.
Launched in 2018, the ‘Control of Pollution’ scheme is a fully government-funded initiative aimed at monitoring air, water, and noise pollution across India. It plays a critical role in implementing the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which seeks to reduce PM10 levels in 131 cities by 2026.
A significant portion of the scheme’s funds is allocated to 82 ‘non-attainment’ cities, which fail to meet national air quality standards. From 2019-20 to 2025-26, a total of ₹3,072 crore has been set aside to help improve air quality in these cities.
The committee also reviewed the environment ministry’s overall spending and found that as of January 31, only 54% of the total budget had been utilised - mounting to ₹1,712.48 crore. However, ministry officials argued that 69% of the funds had actually been spent, leading to further discrepancies in financial reporting.