Lok Sabha Question No. 4108 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Coordination between Centre and State for Air Pollution
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Kumari Selja

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4108

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

## Coordination between Centre and State for Air Pollution

## 4108.  KUMARI SELJA:

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

- (a) the nature of coordination between the Central Government and State Governments in tackling air pollution;
- (b) whether any joint initiatives or mechanisms have been implemented in this regard, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether public awareness campaigns are being conducted to mitigate the impact of air pollution  and  promote  responsible  environment  behaviour  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) and (b): MoEFCC has enacted the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, for preservation of the quality of air and the control of air pollution. Under the Act, Central Pollution Control Board, State  Governments and the State Pollution Control Boards have been inter-alia empowered to take steps for prevention, control, or abatement of air pollution.

The State Governments have been empowered under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, to declare air pollution control areas, alter any air pollution control area, declare a new air pollution control area, approve fuels and appliances and prohibit burning of material likely to cause air pollution.

Further, State Pollution Control Boards have been provided the following mandate under the Act to abate air pollution:

-  To  advise  the  State  Government  on  any  matter  concerning  the  prevention,  control  or abatement of air pollution
-  To lay down, in consultation with the Central Board and having regard to the standards for the quality of air laid down by the Central Board, standards for emission of air pollutants

into the atmosphere from industrial plants and automobiles or for the discharge of any air pollutant into the atmosphere from any other source whatsoever not being a ship or an aircraft

-  To inspect air pollution control areas
-  To collaborate with the Central Board in organising the training of persons engaged or to be engaged in programmes relating to prevention, control or abatement of air pollution and to organise mass-education programme relating thereto

Central Board has been mandated to co-ordinate the activities of the State and resolve disputes among them and provide technical  assistance  and  guidance  to  the  State  Boards,  carry  out  and sponsor investigations and research relating to problems of air pollution and prevention, control or abatement of air pollution.

The Central Government shall allocate seventy-five per cent of the amount collected as penalties under the Environmental Protection Fund  to the State Governments  or  Union  territory administrations  for  the  promotion  of  awareness,  education  and  research  for  the  protection  of environment, and for achieving the objects and purposes of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

Further, Central Government issues directions to CPCB for implementing the provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 for abatement of air pollution. CPCB in turn issues directions to concerned SPCBs for the implementation of the provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

Further, MoEFCC notified 'Standards for Emission or Discharge of Environmental Pollutants from various  Industries'  under  Schedule-I  of  the  Environment  Protection  Rules,  1986.  The  general standards as notified under Schedule-VI of the Environment Protection Rules, 1986 are applicable where  specific  standards  are  not  available  for  the  industrial  sectors.  CPCB  has  directed  all  17 categories of high pollution potential industries and common waste treatment facilities to install Online Continuous Effluent/ Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) for effective monitoring of compliance  of  emission  and  discharge  standards.  The  concerned  SPCB/PCC  ensures  the implementation of the said standards.

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for 12 air pollutants under the Environment (Protection) Seventh Amendment Rules, 2009 notified by G.S.R. 826 (E) dated 16.11.2009. CPCB in collaboration with concerned SPCB/PCC monitor the air quality in more than 543 cities across the country.

National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) launched by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change  (MoEF&CC)  in  January  2019  aims  to  improve  air  quality  in  130  non-attainment  and Million-Plus  Cities  in  24  States/UTs.  It  is  a  multi-sectoral  initiative  involving  the  coordinated efforts of the Central and State Governments, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), and other stakeholders. It emphasizes source-specific mitigation measures through city, state, and national-level clean air action plans.

Activities under NCAP are monitored by Committees at National (Apex, Steering, Monitoring and Implementation);  State  (Steering  and  Monitoring);  and  City  (Implementation)  level.  These Committees coordinate, monitor, evaluate progress and provide guidance for implementation of respective action plans.

The  memorandum  of  understanding  (MoU)  has  been  signed  among  the  Urban  Local  Bodies (ULB), State Governments and MoEF&CC for all 48 Million-Plus cities/Urban Agglomerations.  Also,  MoUs  have  been  signed  among  Central  Pollution  Control  Board (CPCB),  State  Pollution  Control  Boards  (SPCBs)/  Pollution  Control  Committees  (PCCs)  and ULBs  for  remaining  82  Non-Attainment  Cities  (NACs)  identified  under  NCAP.  These  MoUs detail  out  the  roles  and  responsibilities  of  stakeholders  for  the  effective  implementation  of various multi-sectoral interventions under NCAP.

(c): CPCB, SPCBs/PCCs and 130 cities under NCAP have been mandated to undertake awareness programmes  including  relevant  actions  under  Mission  LiFE  to  create  awareness  generation regarding  air  quality  management.  These  agencies  have  also  been  encouraged  to  organize awareness programmes through 'MY Bharat' portal for involving youth and students from schools and colleges. Under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Municipal Corporations and State Pollution  Control  Boards/State  Environment  Departments  have  conducted  more  than  34,000 awareness programmes on air quality management.

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