New Delhi, Nov. 9 -- The Congress on Monday 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 per cent of total) were attributable to air pollution in India in 2023.

The Modi govt 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.

"Now comes a detailed FICCI-EY report that says categorically that around 2 million deaths (about 22 per cent of total) were attributable to air pollution in India in 2023. This is yet another wakeup call for the somnolent Modi Government," he said.

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.

"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. Execution has to begin now by tightening existing PM2.5 and ozone standards to WHO recommended safety levels.

Meanwhile, the Congress on Monday slammed the BJP over its criticism of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge's "khushiyon ka Eid" remark on Diwali, saying those making a big deal out of the statement are "semantically ignorant" as the word 'Eid' literally means festival.

The BJP came down heavily on Kharge for calling Diwali a "khushiyon ka Eid" while extending his greetings on the festival over the weekend and dared him and senior Opposition party leader Rahul Gandhi to call Eid a "Diwali of joy".

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.