To
ameliorate the negative environmental consequence sand increased pollution
levels associated with industrialisation and urbanisation, a number of
proactive steps have been proposed in the Budget 2010-11. This was announced by the Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee
in his Budget speech in Parliament today.
The major
steps include:
·
National
Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) - for funding research and innovative
projects in clean energy technology. The
Finance Minister said that in many areas of the country pollution level has
reached alarming proportions. While it
must be ensured that the principal of a “polluter pays” remains the basic
guiding criteria for pollution management, there should also be a positive
thrust for development of clean energy. And
to build the purpose of the NCEF, the Minister has proposed to levy a clean
energy cess on coal produced in India at a nominal rate of Rs.50 per tonne,
which will also be applicable to imported coal.
·
Affluent
Treatment Plan, Tirupur - The Government
has proposed a one time grant of Rs. 200 crore to the
Government of Tamil Nadu towards the cost of installation of a zero liquid
discharge system at Tirupur to sustain knitwear
industry. This industry which provides
livelihood to lakhs of persons will now be able to do
so without undermining the environment.
·
Special
Golden Jubilee Package for Goa - The Government has proposed to
provide a sum of Rs.200 crore as a special golden
jubilee package to Goa to preserve the natural resources of the State by
restoring Goa’s beaches which are prone to erosion, and increasing its green
cover through sustainable forestry.
·
National Ganga River Basin Authority - Allocation for
National Ganga River Basin Authority has been doubled
in 2010-11 to Rs.500 crore. The “Mission Clean Ganga 2020” under the National Ganga
River Basin Authority (NGRBA) with the objective that no untreated municipal
sewage or industrial influent will be discharged into the National river has already been initiated.
The
Minister has also announced schemes on bank protection works and development on
alternate port facility in West Bengal.
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BSC/MC/MK/26
(Release ID :58419)