Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday, while presenting the Union Budget for 2020-21, allocated Rs 4,400 crore to encourage States to formulate comprehensive plans for ensuring clean air. The fund has come a year after the Government launched the five-year National Clean Air Action Plan to achieve 20-30 per cent reduction in concentration of particulate matter 10 and 2.5 by 2024 with 2017 as the base year.
“The Government proposes to encourage such states that are formulating and implementing plans for ensuring cleaner air in cities above one million. Parameters for the incentives would be notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate change. Allocation for this purpose is Rs 4,400 crore for 2020-21,” said Sitharaman.
The Minister also announced closure of old thermal plants violating emission norms. “For such power plants, we propose that utilities running them would be advised to close them, if their emission is above the pre-set norms. The land so vacated can be put to alternative use,” she said detailing the government’s plan for environment and climate change.
The National Clean Air Action Plan aims to focus on 102 non-attainment cities with consistent poor air quality than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. “It is a big jump(allocation of Rs 4,400 crore), in terms of financial support,” said Anumita Rowchowdury, from Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), “but, we now need a clear template on how government plans to get all sectors to collaborate to achieve a real reduction in emissions and monitor implementation at various levels.”
Also, reiterating India’s commitment to climate action, Sitharaman said a lot of work under the 2015 Paris Agreement would kick in from January 1, 2021, on the “best effort basis.” India would execute all its climate action targets under the 2015 Paris Agreement under the normal budgetary provisions,” she added, in line with India’s stand of urging developed countries to fulfill their financial commitments under global climate action.
“The two global initiatives of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and International Solar Alliance (ISA) would help India to enhance climate action, disaster resilience and address various sustainable goals,” Sitharaman said.