The fund has come from the pollution control authority collecting 1 percent cess from dealers selling diesel cars with engine capacity of 2000 CC and above in the Delhi-NCR region.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has decided to utilise around Rs 40 crore of the Environment Protection Charge (EPC) made from the cess on sale of high-end diesel cars for environmental studies. The fund had been lying unutilised for many months.
"The EPC has around Rs 40 crores lying with them, which has not been used so far. We have invited proposals to conduct environmental studies for improving air quality monitoring systems," said a senior officer.
The fund has come from the pollution control authority collecting 1 percent cess from dealers selling diesel cars with engine capacity of 2000 CC and above in the Delhi-NCR region. This cess was levied following a directive from the Supreme Court in August last year.
Following the SC order, the authority had opened an account in the Union Bank of India to collect the cess amount.
CPCB officials said that the fund will be used in boosting the system and equipments for monitoring air pollution, which is critical as the Capital has been struggling with poor and hazardous air quality for quite some time.
The CPCB is the regulating authority for pollution in the country. In a bid to utilise the fund, the regulator has invited Expression of Interest (EOI) for studies and projects involving improvement of air quality.
According to the EOI document, the studies will focus on aspects such as impact of air pollution on health and on steps to create awareness for the same. It also stated that it would install LED panels at public places showcasing pollution levels throughout the day.
A senior CPCB officer said that the proposals can be sent throughout the year. However, there will be cut-off dates for it being considered by an appraisal committee.
"As for now, the cut-off dates have been decided as June 30, 2017, October 20, 2017 and February 28, 2018," the officer said
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