The Government of India has been actively working towards eradicating pollution and lifting the environmental state of the nation. The current government introduced Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana wherein women below poverty line are provided with LPG connections. This scheme was introduced keeping in mind the carbon footprint and health risks which burning of coal and wood in the kitchen brings about.
Another exemplary scheme is the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which is focused on sanitation and on achieving the Sustainable Development Goal No 6. India has leveled with other developing nations by banning plastic in 25 states out of which 17 states have put a complete ban on manufacturing and distribution of plastic. India has been on a reformatory journey for a while now but there are still a few areas which need more focus.
Our country’s environment reflects the strain population pressure and rapid economic growth can impose. The lack of seriousness among the people of the nation in terms of environmental growth has set us back. For the last two years, Government of India has been snubbing environment out of the budget.
There has been no change in allocation of funds despite the fact that India is ranked third from last in Environmental Performance Index, ranking below countries such as Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan.
There is a cardinal need to focus on the following areas:
- Climate Change – Increase of 1.5 degree Celsius in global temperature affects the disadvantaged and vulnerable population of India through food insecurity, higher food price, income loss, lost in livelihood opportunities, adverse health impact and population displacement. The greatest threat for India at the moment is the climate change and yet there has been no change in allocation of funds for Climate Change Action Plan and National Adaptation Fund for the past two years. It is imperative that climate change be granted more funds so that it can become the focal point and proper measures can be put in place to reduce the damage that has already been done.
- Water CESS – The water cess was introduced under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act 1977 to augment resources of the Central and State pollution control boards for the prevention and control of water pollution. It was the second most important source of income for the state pollution control boards and its abolition has resulted in their loss of revenue. This loss must be made good by budgetary allocations and channel of flow of funds must be kept in check by the state governments.
- Clean Energy CESS – The clean energy cess was levied on coal at the rate of ₹400/tonne in 2016 (progressively increased from ₹50/ tonnes in 2010) amounted to a staggering ₹28,500 crore in 2016-17. It met almost 50% of the budget of the ministry of New and Renewable Energy for 2016-17. Revenue collected from this cess were credited to National Clean Energy Fund and ministries of water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation; environment, forests and climate change; and drinking water and sanitation. With abolition of Clean Energy cess the government should work towards compensating the ministries for their loss in terms of allocating more funds to them.