The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change addresses concerns regarding the utilization of funds for pollution control in Maharashtra in response to Unstarred Question No. 1348. For FY 2025-26 inclusive of the funds for FY 2024-25, Rs. 686.26 crore has been spent, accounting for 80% of the funds for FY 2024-25. Rs.1794.86 crore was released to 19 cities in Maharashtra, with Rs. 1555.34 crore allocated under XV Finance Commission air quality grants to implement city action plans, the State of Maharashtra reported the utilization of 80% of these funds. Regular review meetings by committees under NCAP are conducted to monitor the progress of city action plans, including fund utilization.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The central ministry responsible for matters related to environment, forest, and climate change, answering questions on fund utilization for pollution control.
Maharashtra: Indian state for which the fund utilization for pollution control is questioned.
XV Finance Commission: The Fifteenth Finance Commission which provided air quality grants.
NCAP: National Clean Air Programme; committees under NCAP conduct review meetings.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1348
TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
Utilization of Funds for Pollution in Maharashtra
1348. SMT. SUPRIYA SULE:
SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that less than 1 per cent of the funds allocated for pollution control
activities were utilized by the Government during the financial year 2024–25;
(b) if so, the reasons for such severe underutilization of funds despite the increasing levels of air,
water and industrial pollution across several States including Maharashtra;
(c) the details of the total funds allocated, released and actually utilized for pollution control
measures in the State of Maharashtra during the last three years;
(d) whether any specific pollution mitigation projects in Maharashtra were delayed or
cancelled due to fund underutilization; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to ensure timely utilization of allocated funds and to
strengthen pollution monitoring and control mechanisms in Maharashtra
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (e): Out of the total funds made available for FY 2025-26 inclusive of the funds for FY
2024-25; total of Rs. 686.26 crore has been spent which includes 80% of the funds for FY 2024-
25.
An amount of Rs.1794.86 crore has been released to 19 cites of Maharashtra including Rs.1555.34
crore provided under XV Finance Commission air quality grants, for implementing city action
plans to improve air quality. Maharashtra State has reported the utilisation of 80% of the funds.
Regular review meetings are held by the committees constituted under NCAP at various levels to
monitor the progress of implementation of city action plans including utilization of funds.
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