The Budgetary Restraint Came at a Moment When India is grappling with Heatwaves, Cyclones, and Toxic Air

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Union Budget 2026 has reduced allocations for pollution control. The decision has sparked debate over environmental priorities at a time when air quality remains a critical public health issue. The experts demand far more robust financing to protect nature from pollution.


Allocation of Funds for the Environment


The Union Budget 2026-27 has reduced the allocation for pollution abatement to Rs 1,091 crore. In the last year, the estimate was Rs. 1,300 crore. India’s budget for the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has increased to Rs 3,759.46 crore for 2026–27. 


The historical spending pattern highlights the challenge. In 2024–25, the pollution control budget was initially set at Rs 854 crore, later increased to address shortfalls, but actual expenditure for the year was just Rs 16 crore. 

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According to Anuradha Thakur, Department of Economic Affairs Secretary, "Pollution is a priority for the government. We are working with many state governments on projects related to air and water pollution. There is a significant budgetary outlay on sewage control as well as drainage."


"A large portion of the grants is tied to water and sanitation, particularly sanitation. Pollution of all kinds remains our top priority, and there are different ways in which we are trying to tackle it," she stated.


Opposition Hits Back at Centre


Opposition leaders and environmental activists have criticised the reduced funding for pollution control. Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has called for urgent action, stating, "It is about time the government allows a discussion in Parliament and the Prime Minister declares pollution a national health emergency. We need to come together and develop a serious plan, and we need to make sure there is enough money in the Budget to tackle this problem."

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Final Thoughts


This move will leave clean-air initiatives with fewer resources at a critical moment. The reduction signals a step back in budgetary support for immediate pollution control measures, raising questions about the prioritisation of environmental health in government policy.


Environmental experts also express concern over the adequacy of the overall funding, noting that it remains disproportionately low relative to India's climate vulnerabilities, ecological degradation, and international commitments on adaptation and mitigation.