The Congress on Monday (November 9, 2026) lashed out at the Modi government for being in “denial” on the impact of air pollution on mortality in the country and called for tightening existing PM2.5 and ozone standards as well as revamping the National Clean Air Programme.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh cited the FICCI-EY report and pointed out that it categorically states that around 2 million deaths (about 22% of total) were attributable to air pollution in India in 2023.
“The agenda for reform has been clear for some time and the FICCI report presents an essential and clearly phased ten-year roadmap for national action. “Now comes a detailed FICCI-EY report that says categorically that around 2 million deaths (about 22% of total) were attributable to air pollution in India in 2023. Ease of doing business is fine but ease of breathing is even more fundamental, Ramesh said and added that PM2.5 has become a decided killer across many parts of India. Execution has to begin now by tightening existing PM2.5 and ozone standards to WHO recommended safety levels.
The Modi government has long been in denial on the impact of air pollution on mortality in the country, the former Environment Minister said. It has rejected, both in Parliament and outside, a number of studies on the grounds that they are not India-specific and that the impacts are not direct and uniquely attributable, Ramesh said on X. This is yet another wakeup call for the somnolent Modi Government,” he said. The Modi government surely cannot dismiss this analysis from the country’s leading apex industry body that has had such a long and distinguished history, Ramesh said.
