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EnvironmentThe Hindu5 May 2026
NGT orders Centre to release clean air funds for southern states pending since 2023
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📌 Summary:
- National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed Centre to release pending clean air action funds to southern states
- Funds under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) had been withheld since 2023 despite states submitting action plans
- NCAP launched in 2019 with target of 20–30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 2024 (later extended to 2026)
- Southern states (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana) had met submission criteria but awaited disbursement
- NGT found Centre's delay violated its own NCAP guidelines and states' right to implement clean air measures
- NCAP funds are critical for city-level air quality monitoring stations, dust suppression, industrial compliance enforcement
- NGT directed Centre to release funds within 4 weeks and submit compliance report
- Highlights governance gap: Centre controls funds; states bear implementation burden
- UPSC angle: cooperative federalism, environmental governance, NCAP, NGT jurisdiction, Centre-State relations
NGTNCAPclean airpollutionsouthern statesCentre-Stateair quality
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