Lok Sabha Question No. 2475 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Protection of Weaker Sections from Pollution
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2475

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025

## Protection of Weaker Sections from Pollution

## 2475.   SHRI SANJAY UTTAMRAO DESHMUKH:

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

- (a) whether  the  recently  passed  Environment  (Protection)  Fourth  Amendment  exempts  the thermal power plants in category B and C areas from mandatory SO2 emission control;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  manner  in  which  the  Government  justifies  excluding  rural,  tribal  and  non-urban populations from the pollution protection given to urban areas;
- (d) whether  the  Government  considers  this  policy  to  be  discriminatory  towards  weaker section deprived of adequate healthcare and air quality safeguards; and
- (e) if  so,  the  steps  taken/being  taken  to  ensure  equal  environmental  protection  for  all irrespective of location and to address SO2-related health risks in exempted areas?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) & (b):

Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  and  Climate  Change  (MoEFCC),  Govt.  of  India  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. Besides, studies conducted by research institutions  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. After detailed review of the matter, Ministry has recently 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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | Timelines 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 exemption from 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 CategoryA 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                 |

## (c) to (e):

The category-wise applicability of SO2 emission standards in Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) has been  decided  based  on  detailed  scientific  studies  and  analysis  of  ambient  SO2  concentrations across the country, including areas near TPPs. This approach applies the precautionary principle for  controlling  and  abating  air  pollution  in  densely  populated  and  other  air  pollution-sensitive areas. 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.

This approach 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. Furthermore, it takes into account the techno-economic feasibility of implementing such control measures across all coal/lignite-based TPPs. Additionally, the precautionary principle has been applied for control and abatement of air pollution in densely populated and other air pollution-sensitive areas, while also considering the heavy burden on consumers due to potential increases in electricity prices.

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 noncompliant  TPP  units  for  operation  beyond  the  prescribed  time  limit  at  prescribed  rates.  In  all cases  where  SO2  emission  standards  are  not  being  made  applicable,  TPPs,  irrespective  of location, shall ensure compliance of stack height criteria notified vide notification number GSR 742 (E) dated the 30.08.1990.

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