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News Topical, Digital Desk : Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav told the Lok Sabha on Monday that during the winter (October-January) of 2025-26, Delhi's air quality remained at the severe level for only 10 days, compared to 31 days in 2016-17. He gave this information in response to a written question by Congress MP Manish Tewari.
He said that efforts made by 130 cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) have yielded positive results, with 103 cities seeing a reduction in PM10 concentrations in 2024-25 compared to 2017-18. PM10 levels have decreased by more than 20 percent in 64 of these cities, and more than 40 percent in 25 of these cities.
Listing various measures taken by the government to tackle air pollution, the Union Minister said that Delhi's average AQI has improved from 225 in 2018 to 201 in 2025.
The government imposed a fine of Rs 55 crore on 703 companies.
The central government has imposed fines totalling over Rs 55 crore on 703 companies for non-compliance of the provisions of the Companies Act. Presenting the figures in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra said there was no sign of an increase in non-compliance of the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.
The ministry imposed fines on 703 companies during the nine-month period ended December 31, 2025. In the fiscal year 2024-25, 1,066 companies were fined ₹109 crore. The data also showed that a little over ₹7.51 crore was collected as fines in the first nine months of the fiscal year 2025-26.
Cartelisation of steel makers is being investigated
The government on Monday said the Competition Commission is investigating alleged cartelisation by steel makers and the investigation report has been shared with the concerned parties so that they can give their objections and suggestions as per the competition law.
The Lok Sabha was also informed that the Competition Commission of India (CCI) registered 54 cases related to anti-competitive activities and received 149 merger and acquisition (M&A) applications in 2025. In a written reply, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that as per the directions of the Madras High Court, the CCI has registered a case related to alleged cartelisation by steel manufacturers.
Tamil Nadu sent 45 excavation proposals for Centre's approval in five years
The Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department has submitted 45 proposals seeking central approval for archaeological excavations over the past five years, the government told Parliament. It further stated that eight of the twelve requests for excavations in 2025 are under consideration.
DMK MP Kanimozhi also asked whether the government was aware that the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court recently directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to consider positively and extend full cooperation to any request made by the Tamil Nadu government to continue archaeological excavations at Adichanallur in Thoothukudi. Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said in a written reply, "Yes." (With inputs from news agency PTI)
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