The forthcoming Environment Ministry Budget is expected to address the issues of air and water pollution on a priority basis. According to sources in the Ministry, its suggestions for the Budget are in line with the steps to be implemented by the Ministry in the coming months. For instance, it has been made mandatory for industries to adopt zero effluent discharge policy into water bodies and rivers by March 31.
Further, industries have also been asked to put in place requisite equipments for measuring Suspended Particulate Matters (SPM) and other air pollutants.
While the Ministry is maintaining its stand in this regard, the industries are worried over the cost factor. According to sources, an important suggestion made by the Ministry in this regard is to reduce tax on various gadgets and equipments that control/ assess air/ water pollution.
Stress on mechanisation for monitoring and compliance of pollution laws will ensure lesser room for human inspection and errors in the process of implementation of environmental laws.
Further, as watchdogs of pollution, the respective pollution control boards are also being planned for upgradation of its capabilities. “All these proposed measures point to the necessity of the Budget suggestion,” pointed the sources.
Another important “green” suggestion for the forthcoming Budget is to enable the Ministry to ‘walk the talk’ on issues of climate change. First suggestion in this regard is to increase the allocation of National Adaptation Fund from its present amount of Rs100 crore. “Funds are also necessary for carrying out exercises for both adaptation and mitigation effects of climate change, which the Minister has often stressed in international conferences,” said the sources
According to sources, among other things the Ministry has also put forward suggestions for making equipments for reducing / assessing pollution cheaper. The Ministry also expects higher allocation this time under National Adaptation Fund for climate change.