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Congress Leader Criticizes Government's Coal Plant Pollution Exemptions

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has raised serious concerns about the government's recent decision to exempt a significant number of coal-based power plants from essential pollution control measures. He argues that the rationale behind this policy is flawed and emphasizes the health risks associated with sulfur dioxide emissions. Ramesh points out that the lack of amendments to air quality standards undermines effective policy-making. With the deadline for implementing Flue Gas Desulfurization systems repeatedly extended, he warns of the potential impact on public health and the economy, particularly regarding the crucial monsoon season. Read on to discover more about this pressing environmental issue.
By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 13, 2025, 17:46 IST

Concerns Over Pollution Control Exemptions

On Sunday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh expressed his discontent regarding the government's decision to exempt nearly 78% of coal-based power plants from implementing major pollution control systems. He argued that the rationale behind the Ministry of Environment's policy is fundamentally flawed.

Ramesh pointed out that without amendments to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the government's policy-making process will remain 'defective.' The central government has once again extended the deadline for coal-fired power plants to comply with sulfur dioxide emission standards, completely exempting plants located far from highly polluted areas or cities with populations exceeding one million.


In a post on social media platform 'X,' Ramesh sarcastically noted that the Modi government has already earned the dubious distinction of making India a global leader in sulfur dioxide emissions. He revealed that the Ministry of Environment has exempted 78-89% of the country's thermal power plants from installing Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) systems, which are essential for reducing sulfur dioxide emissions.

The Congress General Secretary highlighted that the initial deadline for installing FGD systems was set for 2017, but it has been postponed multiple times. Ramesh emphasized that sulfur dioxide (SO2) poses a direct threat to public health and disrupts the cloud formation process, which in turn affects the monsoon—a critical lifeline for the Indian economy.