Twitter
Advertisement

Plan to clean up air gets teeth

Presenting the Union Budget 2018-19, the minister also said steps will be taken to subsidise the machinery required for management of crop residue

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley acknowledged the rising level of air pollution in Delhi-NCR on Thursday and announced a scheme to support the governments of Delhi and neighbouring states in tackling high levels of air pollution.

"Air pollution in the Delhi NCR region has been a cause of concern. A special scheme will be implemented to support the efforts of the government of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi to address air pollution and subsidise machinery required for in-situ management of the crop residue," Jaitley said.

Presenting the Union Budget 2018-19, the minister also said steps will be taken to subsidise the machinery required for management of crop residue.

Unveiling the last full-year budget of the current BJP-led government in Parliament, he said air pollution in Delhi- NCR region has been a cause of concern. The Economic Survey had suggested heavy penalties for burning agricultural waste, and more incentives for farmers to prevent alarmingly poor air quality in Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas.

"The government has talked about giving alternatives to farmers for crop burning. The union government's support was important to enable this solution for curbing air pollution. However, they will have to ensure it is implemented on a large-scale and quickly so that we don't have face another bad winter. Also, though the government has announced steps, it has kept air pollution as only a Delhi-NCR problem, even as it is a bigger national issue which needed more to be addressed," said Anumita Roy Chowdhury, head of air pollution and clean transportation programme, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

The Survey said due to burning of paddy fields after harvesting by farmers mainly from north India, the resultant smoke gets carried by winds to Delhi and beyond, adding to the existing suspended particulate matter (SPM) and noxious substances that clog lungs.

Citing various reports, the survey noted that Delhi accounts for one of the unhealthiest cities in the world in terms of air pollution.

A report by Greenpeace on Monday ranked Delhi as India's most polluted city, followed by Faridabad in Haryana, Bhiwadi in Rajasthan and Bihar's capital Patna. It also said the most polluted cities are spread across the Indo-Gangetic basin, while southern cities are slightly better off compared to their northern counterparts.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement