Budget puts thrust on air pollution
A special scheme was announced to reduce the ill-effects of burning of the crop remains, known as stubbing burning which causes pollution.
Hyderabad: The growing concerns on air pollution in Delhi reflected in the 2018 Budget.
A special scheme was announced to reduce the ill-effects of burning of the crop remains, known as stubbing burning which causes pollution.
Although Telangana is far away from a Delhi-like crisis, the burning of biowaste is reported in Khammam, Suryapet and Mancherial every year.
The Budget promises to subsidise the equipment used for removing crop residues. Many farmers burn their fields because of the high expense of the machinery.
The finance minister asked governments of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi to reap the benefits from the air pollution schemes as they are the worse-hit.
TSPCB officials say that all state pollution control boards will be given incentives to ensure clean air.
N. Raveendhar, a senior environmental scientist, said, “It is good that Delhi’s crisis has generated talk about air pollution in the Budget. It is of utmost importance that the government allocate funds for the same.”
He further stated that there should more steps from the government side to improve air quality. Environmentalists also welcomed the discussion on pollution. “If there is a change with this Budget, it will be a beginning. We have to curb pollution,” said Surabhi Reddy, an environmentalist.