Topic : Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
6. While funds are critical, proper enforcement, adequate staff and stemming the sources of pollution on the ground are vital to the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) meeting its target. Comment. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
In February 2020, the Finance Minister had announced a ₹4,400 crore package for 2020-21 to tackle air pollution in 102 of India’s most polluted cities. The funds would be used to reduce particulate matter by 20%-30% from 2017 levels by 2024 under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
Key Demand of the question:
Explain that funds are critical however, proper enforcement, adequate staff and stemming the sources of pollution on the ground are vital to the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) meeting its target.
Directive:
Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Brief about the current NCAP.
Body:
Start by discussing the concerns associated with the implementation of NCAP.
- There is no clarity on what the budgetary outlays for subsequent years are likely to be.
- Though it was the largest-ever yearly allocation by a government to specifically tackle air pollution, only half the money was finally allotted to 15 States (and 42 cities in them) in November 2020.
- The rest will be given in January 2021 based on how cities achieve certain ‘performance parameters’ that are still being worked out by the Centre.
- It is unclear if this amount is adequate to handle the task of improving air quality as the scale of the problem itself is unknown.
- Historically, cites have used manual machines to measure specified pollutants and their use has been inadequate.
Substantiate why it is important to focus on proper enforcement, adequate staff and stemming the sources of pollution on the ground for effective implementation of NCAP.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
