Delhi Spent Less Than One-Third of NCAP Funds to Tackle Air Pollution: Report
New Delhi: There’s money to tackle pollution, but Delhi – India’s capital and one of the most polluted cities in both the country and the world – has not used even one-third of those funds, according to a news report by PTI.
The report, published on Wednesday (June 18), cited government records with the Union environment ministry to say that Delhi had spent less than one-third of the funds that it had received under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the NCAP in January 2019, and it is aimed at improving air quality in 131 non-attainment and million-plus cities/urban agglomerations across 24 states and Union territories.
The NCAP targets a reduction of 20-30% in concentrations of particulate matter (PM10) by 2024-25 compared to the baseline year of 2017-18.
According to a press statement, authorities revised the target to achieve up to a 40% reduction in PM10 levels or to meet national standards (60 µg/m³) by 2025-26.
Under the NCAP, cities are eligible for funds to ensure such improved levels of air quality.
According to the news report by PTI, data with the environment ministry showed that Delhi spent Rs 13.94 crore – which is just 32.65% of the Rs.42.69 crore released to it under the NCAP.
Several other cities have also under-spent, and quite drastically, per the news report:
With a fund utilisation of just 48.85%, Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh was among the other cities with low funds spent to tackle air pollution. Others included Pathankot (37.1%), Ujjain (37.7%), Davanagere (43.6%), Nagaon (48.5%), Vijayawada (41.09%) and Jamshedpur (44.24%).
Per the report, 14 cities and urban agglomerations have spent less than 50% of the funds they received under the programme, either directly from the environment ministry or through the 15th Finance Commission.
Of the total Rs 12,636 crore allocated to 130 cities under the NCAP since its launch, only Rs 8,981 crore – which is around 71% – has been spent as of May 27, according to the report by PTI.
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