New Delhi, June 2 (ANI): Congress leader Jairam Ramesh addresses a press conference at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi on Sunday. (ANI Photo) | Photo credit: ANI

Congress leader and former Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Friday (November 1, 2024) said that sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants contribute significantly to air pollution and any argument suggesting that such emissions were not a public health concern in India was ridiculous.

His remarks followed a media report, according to which the NITI Aayog had proposed to stop the installation of equipment to reduce sulfur emissions in coal-fired power plants.

However, there has been no official word from the NITI Aayog.

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“It was earlier decided that power plants had to install fluorinated gas desulfurizers. First, the deadline was set at 2017. This deadline was later extended to 2026. Now it seems that the NITI Aayog, who knows everything, wishes the delay to be completely removed.” » declared the Secretary General of the Congress in charge of communications.

“It is ridiculous to pretend that sulfur dioxide emissions pose no public health problem in India, especially at a time when the consequences of pollution are so visible in Indian cities,” Mr. Ramesh said.