Tuesday, 12 February 2019

India: DPCC grants subsidy for e-safe equipment



Evolution in human life has led to the transformation of the early man to the modern-day civilized individual. The complexities in lifestyle has increased reliance to numerous sources to fulfil different and ever-growing needs. From basic simple living to a world full of mechanized equipment, industrialization, automobile revolution, the present-day man depends on high quantities of non-renewable sources of energy including essential as well as non-essential requirements. This causes grave harm contaminating the surrounding environment thereby making it unfit for all forms of life.

Pollution Problem

The over-exploitation of resources for energy and improper disposal of their remnants results in introduction of high quantities of pollutants into the ecosystem hampering the nearby ecosystem. A number of processes such as industrial activities, vehicular usage, crop destruction, constructions, burning of garbage, bursting of firecrackers, etc.

Pollution by cooking

Cooking has been an indispensable need of human life. For the purpose of cooking a lot of fuels have been used since time immemorial including combustion of solid fuels such as wood, animal dung, charcoal, crop wastes and coal. These not only result in improper combustion of the respective resources but are also an eminent source of pollution and health ailments of different nature. There has been a shift in the approach by adoption of completely combustible and a cleaner energy resource - Liquid Petroleum Gas. However, many people still use coal-based cooking devices in the form of traditional Asian oven known as the ‘Tandoor’.

Environment Protection Measures

With the objective of the protection and improvement of environment, numerous legislative frameworks and policies have come up. The Environment Protection Act, 1986 has been enforced with the aim of conservation and improvement of environment was introduced along with legislations working towards the protection of air, water and other environmental components including Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

Delhi Government’s recent efforts  

Established with the objective promoting sustainable development for meeting the present day needs without compromising the needs of the future, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (hereinafter referred to as “DPCC”) was established to regulate and monitor the pollution levels in the National Capital Region of Delhi. In its approach to reduce the increasing levels of pollution in its region, DPCC has introduced a scheme of awarding subsidy for replacing/ conversion of coal-based tandoors with electricity/ gas-based tandoors vide its notification dated October 28, 2018.[1]

As per the provisions of the said notification, subsidy at 50% cost of conversion upto INR 5,000/- to the Owners/ Partners/ Managing Directors of the Restaurants/ Eating Outlets/ Banquet Halls/ Hotels for the process of conversion. The establishments coming to existence after April 1, 2018 are also be eligible for availing subsidy. As per the notification, the entities would only be entitled for the said benefit only after they obtain requisite consent and approval to operate/ renew from DPCC as per the applicable laws and complete the process of conversion.

In order to encourage the use of clean fuel in Delhi and reduce the alarming levels of pollution being witnessed, the DPCC shall allow subsidy to those who comply with the environment-friendly regulation.

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