‘Control of Pollution’ Scheme

March 27, 2025

The recent parliamentary report marks issue regarding pollution control funding in India. The Union Environment Ministry allocated Rs 858 crore for the ‘Control of Pollution’ scheme in the financial year 2024-25. However, less than 1% of this allocation has been utilised due to pending approvals for the continuation of the scheme. This situation has raised alarms about the effectiveness of efforts to combat air pollution, which has become a critical concern across many cities, especially Delhi.

Background

The ‘Control of Pollution’ scheme was launched in 2018. It aims to monitor air, water, and noise pollution across India. The scheme is part of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which targets a 40% reduction in particulate pollution in 131 cities by 2026 compared to 2019-20 levels. The scheme is fully funded by the central government.

Reasons for Underutilisation

The parliamentary committee expressed shock over the underutilisation of funds. The approval for the scheme’s continuation is still pending, which has hindered the disbursement of allocated funds. Only Rs 7.22 crore has been spent, raising concerns about the ministry’s ability to address air quality issues effectively.

Impact of Air Pollution

Air pollution poses severe health risks and environmental challenges. The committee noted that rising pollution levels affect the well-being of citizens and damage ecosystems. Urgent measures are needed to mitigate these impacts, and effective fund utilisation is crucial for achieving the objectives of the NCAP.

Plantation Drives and Their Challenges

The committee also brought into light issues with plantation drives aimed at improving air quality. While such initiatives are frequently undertaken, the survival rate of newly planted trees remains low. There is a pressing need for better management and monitoring of these activities to ensure that the investments yield tangible benefits.

Recommendations

The committee has recommended that the Union Environment Ministry conduct a thorough introspection regarding the reasons behind the gross underutilisation of funds. It also suggested that the ministry improve the management of plantation activities to ensure better survival rates for planted trees. An audit of these initiatives is essential to optimise resource allocation.

Financial Overview

The report reveals that the environment ministry has spent only 54% of its budget up to January 31 of the financial year. Despite claims from ministry officials that 69% of the funds were used, the committee found the overall utilisation inadequate. This discrepancy marks the need for improved transparency and accountability in fund management.

« Previous Post Next Post »