Ministry of Environment Addresses Under-Utilization of CPCB Funds

Under the Environment Protection Charges (EPC) funds, as on May 31, 2024, the total accrued fund is ₹422.56 crore. Out of these funds, ₹234.9 crore have been earmarked against the sanctioned projects.  It also includes projects of ₹ 73.06 crore  which have been kept in abeyance in view of Hon’ble NGT order dated 19.12.2023 in OA no. 638/2023 with OA no. 658/2023. It is also submitted that funds amounting to  ₹ 99.29 crore have since been disbursed under these projects. Funds of ₹187.6 crore is available for utilization. Out of ₹187.6 crore, ₹150 crore is  to be utilised for gap funding support for implementation of activities of city action plans of NCR cities not funded under NCAP and XVFC. The proposal has been submitted to Hon’ble NGT for seeking its concurrence. The status of Environment Protection Charge (EPC) funds as on May 31, 2024 is placed at Annexure-I.

            With regard to Environmental Compensation (EC), CPCB has received a deposit of total amount of Rs.126.76 Crores in the NGT EC 25% account and Rs. 276.96 Crores in the NGT EC 75% account inclusive of bank interest till March 31, 2024 out of this, Rs. 46.25 Crores and Rs. 15.69 Crores have been released till March 31, 2024, respectively. Further, in pursuance of the orders of the Hon’ble NGT in specific cases, 23 specific purpose accounts have been opened. As on March 31, 2024, the total amount deposited in these accounts is Rs. 176 Crores, interest accrued is 17 Crores and amount released is Rs.1.33 Crores.  The status of Environmental Compensation (EC) funds as on March, 31, 2024 is placed at Annexure-II.

List of Projects or studies funded under EPC Funds (as on 31.05.2024) is placed at Annexure-III. Beside scientific studies, utilization of EPC funds have been considered for implementation of on-ground mitigation measures to reduce air pollution at source and accordingly following new areas have been added for funding:

1. Funding of projects (road construction, paving, procurement of anti-smog guns (ASGs) & Mechanical Road Sweepers (MRSs), etc.) of ULBs/SPCBs
2. Funding establishment of paddy straw based pelletisation and torrefaction plants
3. Funding retrofitment /upgradation of DG sets in Government hospitals
4. Gap funding support for implementation of micro-level action plans in non-attainment cities
5. Gap funding support for implementation of activities of city action plans of NCR cities not funded NCAP and XVFC. Detailed guidelines for providing funding support to 18 NCR cities have been prepared in line with NCAP model. These have been submitted to Hon’ble NGT for seeking its concurrence.

Details of the projects sanctioned under EPC funds and proposals that are kept in abeyance based on above said areas is annexed at Annexure-IV and Annexure-V.

Annexure-I

(Amount in crore)

Annexure-II

(Amount in crore)

Annexure-III

List of Projects or studies funded under EPC Funds (as on 31.05.2024)

Note: Besides above, EPC funds have been utilised for meeting expenditures towards stipend, meetings/ workshops and other administrative activities.

Annexure –IV

1. Financial assistance for setting of paddy straw based pellet plant:
   • In case of non-torrefied pellet plant, Financial Assistance of 40% of capital cost (maximum of Rs 28 lakh per TPH plant) with maximum financial support of Rs 1.4 crore per proposal.
   • In case of torrefaction plant, Financial Assistance of 40% of capital cost (maximum of Rs 56 lakh per TPH plant) with maximum financial support of Rs 2.8 crore per proposal.
   • Plants sanctioned – 15 plants sanctioned (13 Punjab, 01 U.P. and 01 Haryana) and 01 plant in-principle approved.
   • Total capacity of 15 sanctioned plants are 58.25 TPH (2.1 lakh tonne pellet/annum) and total cost of 15 sanctioned applications is Rs 14.15 crore, out of which Rs 6.2 crore (approx.) have been released for 06 plant projects.
2. Financial assistance for retrofitment of DG sets in Government Hospital:
   • 100% funding considered for RECD/dual fuel kits, 40% funding for procurement of new gas based generator sets
   • Proposal received from U.P., Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi. Proposal of U.P and Rajasthan haves been considered while Haryana and Delhi are under consideration.
   • Proposal for retrofitment of 4 DG sets in U.P. sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 19.3 lakhs.
   • In case of Rajasthan, proposal received for 46 nos. of DG sets in 33 hospitals, but none found meeting the criteria.
   • In case of Delhi, confirmation sought from the Health Department and other departments regarding the eligible cases and proposal of Haryana is under consideration.
3. Funding of infrastructure projects (road construction, paving, procurement of anti- smog guns & road sweepers etc.) to ULBs/SPCBs:

• • 8 road projects approved to Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC) at a cost of Rs. 13.37 crore, and work is under progress.
  • Procurement of 10 Mechanical Road Sweeping Machines (MRSMs) and 06 Anti-smog guns sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 8.93 crore to UPPCB. Tender process initiated for procurement by ULBs/agencies.
  • 18 road construction/paving works at a cost of Rs. 10.61 crore sanctioned to Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
  • Total cost of above sanctioned 03 infrastructure projects is Rs. 32.91 crore, out of which Rs. 6.68 crore have been released to GMC.
  • Funds are provided in cases where these proposals are not being considered under any other scheme of Central/ State Government or no matching funds are available.

1. Gap funding for implementation of micro-level action plans in non-attainment cities:
   • Procurement of 1 no. of Mechanical road sweeping machine (MRSMs) and 5 nos. of anti-smog guns at a cost of Rs. 4.25 crore sanctioned to Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC).
   • Procurement of 5 no. of Mechanical road sweeping machine (MRSMs) and 5 nos. of anti-smog guns at a cost of Rs. 4.025 crore sanctioned to Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF).
   • Procurement of 4 no. of Mechanical road sweeping machine (MRSMs) and 5 nos. of anti-smog guns at a cost of Rs. 5.605 crore sanctioned to New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA Authority).
   • Total cost of above 03 sanctioned projects relating to implementation of micro-level action plans is Rs. 13.88 crore.

Annexure-V

Proposals kept in Abeyance