‘Green Budget- Pollution Free India’

The Central Government has increased the allocation on Environment Ministry from the last fiscal by 10.4 per cent to Rs. 2954.72 Crore for 2019-20. Due to this, latest budget in termed as ‘Green Budget’, by PM Narendra Modi. It has several initiatives for promoting electric vehicles, reducing air pollution and encouraging afforestation.

Allocations:

• Rs. 460 Cr. for pollution control schemes (previously it was mere Rs. 5 Cr.) like National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) with a vision of “Pollution free India” with green mother Earth and blue skies.
• Lowering the GST on Electric Vehicles from 12 to 5 per cent, affordability to consumers will be made by providing additional income tax deduction.
• On screening green cover, additional funds available under the compensatory afforestation fund management and planning authority (CAMPA).
• About Clean Energy, LED bulb mission, use of solar stoves and solar battery chargers will be promoted.
• For good quality of life and ease of life, maintaining a cleaner environment and ensuring sustainable energy use is vital. 35 Cr. LED bulbs have been distributed under UJALA scheme, leading to cost saving of Rs. 18,341 Cr. annually.
• It was proposed to expand Swachh Bharat Mission to undertake sustainable solid waste management in every village. it helps in sustaining the behavioural change in people but also harness the latest technologies available to transform waste into energy.
• Rs. 10 Cr. has been earmarked for pollution abatement, compared to Rs. 20 Cr. allocated last year, under which funding to 5 State Pollution Control Boards for ongoing and new projects under assistance for Abatement of Pollution is envisaged.
• In the wildlife arena, the govt.-initiated projects- Project Tiger and Project Elephant-saw no change in their allocation.
• Under the National Coastal Mission, the Environment Ministry is responsible to ensure livelihood security of coastal communities including fisher folks, to conserve, protect the coastal stretches and to promote sustainable development based on scientific principles. A world bank also assisted in this for coastal regions and UTs.
• Banning the diesel vehicles which are more than 15 years old, to lessen the smoke in the atmosphere.

Matter referenced:

Times of India, Ahmedabad, Saturday, 6th July, 2019.

By: Dr. Bhawana Asnani.

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