National Clean Air Program – UPSC Prelims

National Clean Air Program:
  • It was launched by the MoEFCC in January 2019.
  • It is the first-ever effort in the country to frame a national framework for air quality management with a time-bound reduction target.
  • It seeks to cut the concentration of coarse (particulate matter of diameter 10 micrometre or less, or PM10) and fine particles (particulate matter of diameter 2.5 micrometre or less, or PM2.5) by at least 20% by 2024, with 2017 as the base year for comparison.
  • The plan includes 102 non-attainment cities, across 23 states and Union territories, which were identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on the basis of their ambient air quality data between 2011 and 2015.
  • Non-attainment cities: These are those that have fallen short of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for over five years.
Status:
  • 15th finance commission has allotted over 4000 crore rupees for combating air pollution in urban areas.
  • According to the data, most states have underutilised the funds allotted. e.g. Uttar Pradesh, used 16% of the allocated Rs 60 crore.

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