How long will Modi government live in denial, asks Congress citing World Bank's air pollution report

Congress general secretary, communications, and former Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh criticized the Narendra Modi government for its handling of air pollution in the Indo-Gangetic plains and Himalayan foothills. The World Bank, in a report titled "A Breath of Change," highlighted that around one million premature deaths occur annually due to air pollution in this region, causing significant economic losses. Ramesh called for stricter enforcement of air pollution norms and standards, including the review of existing laws like the Air Pollution (Control and Prevention) Act of 1981 and the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), 2009. He also urged expansion of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and a focus on PM 2.5 levels for performance evaluation.