Green Brigade sulks over allocation from energy fund to eco initiatives

The Green Brigade is unhappy with Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee's allocations from the National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) to various environmental initiatives such as protection and regeneration of forests.

Mr Mukherjee has made an allocation of Rs 200 crore from the NCEF to begin implementation of the forestry initiative - Green India Mission in 2011-12.

“Environmental pollution has emerged as a serious public health concern across the country. I propose to allocate Rs 200 crore from the National Clean Energy Fund as Centre's contribution in 2011-12 for launching environmental remediation programmes,” he said. The NCEF was launched in fiscal 2010-11 through a levy of clean energy cess of Rs 50 per tonne on coal imported and produced domestically.

“The NCEF was supposed to be utilised to fund research and development of clean technologies and transform the energy sector. Coal is being taxed to clean up pollution.

“It is a clear mis-utilisation of the reason why coal is taxed,” said Mr Chandra Bhushan, Associate Director, Centre for Science and Environment.

Besides, the Finance Minister has proposed a special allocation of Rs 200 crore for clean-up of some important rivers and lakes, besides the Ganga.

The Central Plan outlay for Environment Ministry is Rs 2,300 crore for 2011-12, marginally lower than the revised plan of Rs 2385.82 crore for 2010-11.

Of the total outlay, Rs 791.97 crore has been earmarked for prevention and control of pollution and Rs 242 crore for national afforestation and eco development programmes.

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