Pricey pint to clear the air!
On the lines of air ambience fund, the Delhi Government is planning to make liquor costlier by Rs 1-Rs 2 per bottle, and use the fund accumulated to subsidise mass transit systems, a step that will also address the problems of traffic jams and pollution.
lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Friday approved the recommendations of the high power committee on air and water pollution. The committee on air and water pollution has recommended setting up urban transport fund to meet the resource need of public transport on the lines of air ambience fund and to cross subsidise public transport fares to attract more and more people to public transport.
“It was also proposed that Excise Department should explore the possibility of charging Rs 1-Rs 2 on sale of every bottle which can help in reducing the burden on the city’s commuters,” the recommendation said. Officials of Excise Department said that the issue is being examined and they will impose this tax soon. In the meeting, transport, Excise and Environment Departments were asked to work out the modalities.
“Right now, a public transport bus ride from your home to office and back costs about Rs 50. This is not a small amount for middle class families and, hence, they end up buying two-wheelers or small cars. We are scaling up non-motorised transit and public transport. We need resources to meet the capital and operational needs. We have to lower bus fares to discourage car use. If we increase the cost of a bottle of liquor by Rs 1, it is not going to affect anyone too much,” said a senior Delhi Government official.
“The Government could look at pooling in revenue generated through different ventures and then use the money to fund future projects,” said an official.