India's Air Pollution Crisis: Unspent Funds and Missed Opportunities
- Kevin Kannampuzha
- Mar 27
- 2 min read
India's Air Pollution Crisis has intensified, with recent reports highlighting that the Environment Ministry utilized less than 1% of the allocated pollution control funds in the fiscal year 2023-24. This underutilization raises concerns, especially since air pollution contributes to approximately 1.67 million deaths annually in India, accounting for 17.8% of the country's total deaths.
The Unspent Funds
The 'Control of Pollution' scheme, initiated in 2018, plays a pivotal role in India's Air Pollution Crisis by monitoring and mitigating air, water, and noise pollution nationwide. Despite its significance, the Environment Ministry's failure to utilize the allocated funds has drawn sharp criticism. Officials attribute the unspent funds to pending approvals for extending the scheme beyond 2025-26, noting that in previous financial years, the entire budget was utilized.
A Pattern of Underutilization
This isn't the first instance of underutilization of pollution control funds. Between 2019-20 and 2021-22, approximately ₹400 crore was allocated to states for pollution control, but only half of this amount was effectively utilized. While some states demonstrated commendable fund utilization, others fell short. For instance, Uttar Pradesh received the highest allocation of about ₹77 crore but utilized only ₹30.57 crore.
Health and Economic Implications
The ramifications of unspent funds in combating India's Air Pollution Crisis are profound. Air pollution remains a silent killer, claiming over 7 million lives annually worldwide, with India bearing a significant portion of this burden. Beyond health, the economic impact is substantial, with lost output from premature deaths and morbidity attributable to air pollution accounting for significant economic losses.
Government Initiatives and Challenges
The Indian government has launched several initiatives to combat the Air Pollution Crisis:
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Launched in 2019, NCAP aims to reduce particulate matter pollution by 30% by 2024.
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): Implemented in Delhi in 2017, GRAP outlines specific measures based on air quality levels to combat pollution.
Performance-Based Funding: In 2020, the government set aside about $1.7 billion to fight air pollution over five years for 42 cities with million-plus populations, provided they reduce their air pollution levels by 15% annually.
Despite these initiatives, challenges persist in addressing India's Air Pollution Crisis. For instance, the 'Control of Pollution' scheme's effectiveness is hampered by bureaucratic delays and underutilization of funds. Moreover, innovative solutions like smog towers and anti-smog guns have been criticized as short-term fixes that fail to address the root causes of pollution.
The Way Forward
Addressing India's Air Pollution Crisis requires a multifaceted approach:
Efficient Fund Utilization: Ensuring that allocated funds are promptly and effectively used for pollution control measures.
Strengthening Policies: Implementing and enforcing stringent emission standards for industries and vehicles.
Public Awareness: Educating citizens about the health impacts of air pollution and promoting sustainable practices.
Regional Cooperation: Collaborating with neighboring regions to tackle transboundary pollution sources.
The parliamentary panel's revelation serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for decisive action in combating India's Air Pollution Crisis. With millions of lives at stake and significant economic implications, India cannot afford inaction in its battle against air pollution.
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