Lok Sabha Question No. 317 (STARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: FGD Exemption Policy
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar, Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 317

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025

## FGD Exemption Policy

## 317*.  SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH: SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR:

Will  the  Minister  of  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE  CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  alternative  technological  or  regulatory  measures  proposed  to  reduce  sulphur  dioxide emissions  in  the absence  of  Flue  Gas  Desulphurisation  (FGD)  systems in  thermal  power plants;
- (b) the steps proposed to be taken to ensure that the health impact of sulphur dioxide emissions on vulnerable groups living near power plants due to FGD exemption;
- (c)  whether  there  was  a  formal  consultation  process  with  civil  society  organizations  before finalizing the exemptions from installing FGDs, if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  the  measures  taken  to  respond  to  the  concerns  regarding  the  long-term  impact  of  not installing FGDs; and
- (e) whether the Government will consider revisiting the FGD exemption policy and making the installation of desulphurisation systems mandatory for all thermal power plants, in view of concerns regarding public health and environmental protection, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)

(a) to (e) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARAS  (a)  to  (e)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  No. 317 DUE FOR  REPLY ON 11.08.2025 REGARDING  FGD  EXEMPTION  POLICY  BY  SHRI  VIJAYAKUMAR  ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH AND SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR, HON'BLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.

## (a) to (e):

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified emission standards for coal/lignite-fired Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) vide Notification dated 07.12.2015. The SO2 emission standards prescribed vide Notification dated 07.12.2015 have been reviewed by the  Central  Government  taking  into  consideration  the  various  representations  received regarding exemption or relaxation in timelines of these emission standards.

Besides, studies conducted by research institutions such as Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-National  Environmental  Engineering  Research  Institute  (CSIR-NEERI),  Indian Institute of Technology  (IIT)  Delhi,  National  Institute  of  Advanced  Studies  (NIAS), regarding effectiveness and rationale behind these standards and its role in overall ambient air pollution of the region, were also considered to evaluate the need of universal applicability and  enforcement  of  these  standards.  Apart  from  these  studies,  Central  Pollution  Control Board  (CPCB)  had  also  conducted  a  simulation  modelling  of  emission  from  source  of Thermal  Power  Plant  for  different  scenarios/matrix  through  Indian  Institute  of  Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.

Stakeholders' consultation meetings to discuss the matter were also held among MoEFCC, Ministry  of  Power  (MoP),  CPCB,  Principal  Scientific  Adviser  (PSA)  to  Govt.  of  India, Central  Electricity  Authority  (CEA),  Scientific  Institutions,  and  National  Thermal  Power Corporation (NTPC).

After detailed review of the matter, the Ministry has issued Notification vide G.S.R. 465 (E) dated  11.07.2025  regarding  the  applicability  of  SO2  emission  standards  notified vide Notification dated 07.12.2015. Accordingly, the applicability and timelines for compliance of SO2 emission standards by TPPs are as follows:

| Category                                                                                      | Applicability of SO 2 emission standards                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | Time limit for compliance   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
| Category A (Plants within 10 km radius of NCR or cities having million plus population)       | Mandatory                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | 31.12.2027                  |
| Category B (Plants within 10 km radius of non-attainment cities or critically polluted areas) | To be decided on a case to case basis by the Central Government based upon the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee (Thermal Projects). In case any TPP is considered for non- applicability of SO 2 emission standards, such TPP shall ensure meeting stack height as per Notification no. G.S.R. 742 (E) dated 30.08.1990. | 31.12.2028                  |
| Category C (Other than those included in Category A and B)                                    | Not applicable subject to condition of meeting stack height as per Notification no. G.S.R. 742 (E) dated 30.08.1990.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | 31.12.2029                  |

The category-wise applicability of SO2 emission standards in TPPs has been decided based on detailed scientific studies and analysis of ambient SO2 concentrations across the country, including  areas  near  TPPs.  The  decision  taken  by  the  Central  Government  while  issuing Notification  dated  11.07.2025  is  based  on  scientific  approach,  environmental  sustainability and environmental benefits/loss in achieving SO2 emission norms as well as techno-economic feasibility  of  implementing  such  control  measures  across  all  coal/lignite-based  TPPs.  This approach  applies  the  precautionary  principle  for  controlling  and  abating  air  pollution  in densely populated and other air pollution-sensitive areas, while also considering to safeguard consumers  from  the  heavy  burden  due  to  potential  increases  in  electricity  prices.  This approach further demonstrates resource conservation by avoiding additional consumption of water, auxiliary power, and limestone; it also considers the increase in carbon footprint/CO2 emissions resulting from the operation of deployed control measures, as well as the mining and transportation of limestone required for these measures.

TPPs are required  to  comply  with  the  emission  standards  notified  by  MoEFCC  within  the prescribed  time  limits,  failing  which  environmental  compensation  shall  be  imposed  on  the non-compliant  TPP  units  for  operation  beyond  the  prescribed  time  limit.  In  all  such  cases where SO2 emission standards are not being made applicable, TPPs shall ensure compliance of stack height criteria notified vide Notification number GSR 742 (E) dated the 30.08.1990 governing  SO2  emissions  from  TPPs  to  aid  proper  dispersion  of  pollutants  and  mitigate environmental impacts.

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