Lok Sabha Question No. 3997 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-19
Subject: Reduction in allocation for State Action Plan  for Climate Change
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Dr. T. Sumathy (a) Thamizhachi Thangapandian

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION NO . 3997

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2021

## Reduction in allocation for State Action Plan for Climate Change

## 3997.   DR. T. SUMATHY (a) THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the  allocation  for  State  Action  Plans  for  Climate  Change  has  been  reduced from Rs. 40 crore to Rs. 30 crore;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether any studies have been undertaken before determining such amounts and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of roles of the Central and State's Pollution Control Boards in maintaining air quality across the Country as per the Commission for Air Quality Management; and
- (e) whether air pollution is no longer in the domain of Pollution Control Boards and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a)  to  (c)  Allocation  for  State Action  Plan  on  Climate  Change (SAPCC) is made under the scheme titled 'Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP)'. Rs. 30 cr have been allocated to CCAP in Budget Estimate (BE) 2021-22. Revised Estimate (RE) for Financial Year 2020-21 was Rs. 24 cr and BE 2020-21 was Rs. 40 cr for the scheme. The allocation in BE 2021-22 has been made in line with actual expenditure in previous years under the scheme.

(d)  and  (e)  The Central  Pollution  Control  Board  (CPCB)  was  constituted  under  the  Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974. It was later also entrusted with powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. CPCB serves as a field  formation and  also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and  Climate  Change  under  the  provisions  of  the  Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986. Principal functions of CPCB are (i) to promote cleanliness of streams and wells in States by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution and (ii) to improve the quality of air and to prevent, control and abate air pollution in the country.

The  State  Pollution  Control  Boards  (SPCBs)  were  constituted  with  the  objectives  of prevention  and  control  of  water  pollution  and  maintaining  or  restoring  wholesomeness of water.  Later SPCBs were also entrusted with the responsibilities of prevention, control and abatement of air pollution under the provisions of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)

Act, 1981. SPCBs are also engaged in implementation of Rules made under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

In  consideration  of  the  quality  of  air  in  NCR  and  adjoining  areas,  a  'Commission  for  Air Quality  Management  (CAQM)'  was  constituted  through  an  ordinance  in  October,  2020, which has lapsed on 12.03.2021. It is not true that Air Pollution is no longer in the domain of Pollution Control Boards (PCB). PCBs and Commission have concurrent jurisdiction over Air Pollution.

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