Indian National Congress Demands New Clean Air Act

The Indian National Congress demanded the enactment of a new Clean Air Act on November 9, 2026, citing a report by FICCI-EY that estimated nearly 2 million deaths in India in 2023 were attributable to air pollution. The party argued that a health-centered legislative framework is necessary to replace the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981, which they claim is outdated regarding pollution sources and effects.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh accused the Narendra Modi-led government of rejecting mortality studies and denying the public health impacts of pollution. Ramesh urged the administration to adopt a 10-year roadmap for national action and to revamp the National Clean Air Programme. He specifically called for the tightening of PM2.5 and ozone standards to align with World Health Organization safety levels, stating that "Ease of doing business is fine but ease of breathing is even more fundamental."