SHIKHAR MAINS 2022- DAY 46 Model Answer English
Q1. विद्युत गतिशीलता (ई-मोबिलिटी) के महत्व और भारत में विद्युत गतिशीलता (ई-मोबिलिटी) को प्रोत्साहित करने के लिए सरकार द्वारा उठाए जा रहे क़दमों की व्याख्या कीजिए।
Explain the importance of electric mobility and the steps being taken by the government to promote electric mobility in India.
Approach:
· In introduction provide a brief description of working of E-vehicles.
· Further highlight the importance of electric mobility.
· Finally, conclude the answer by discussing the steps taken by the government to promote electric mobility.
Answer:
Electric mobility involves using one or more electrically powered vehicles for transportation. Currently, electric-based transport provides solutions for short-distance and low-weight (with bicycles, scooters and electric motorcycles) as well as long-distance and heavy-weight travel (with electric public transport vehicles). The demand for electric vehicles in India is likely to increase due to the growing concerns about the environment.
Sales of Electric Vehicles in India have registered a growth of 20 percent in FY 2019-2020 as compared to FY 2018-19. A recent study has revealed that by 2022, the majority of consumers in India will consider buying an electric vehicle.
Importance of Electric Mobility:
· The increase in the number of electric vehicles is of utmost importance for India as such vehicles are durable and profitable in the long run.
· The adoption of electric vehicles will reduce crude oil imports and ensure domestic energy independence and help reduce carbon emissions.
· In terms of PM 2.5 concentration, 14 of the 15 most polluted cities in the world are in India. The country will benefit from the adoption of EVs as it will significantly reduce vehicular emissions.
· Switching to electric vehicles is an economically and environmentally viable option.
· Adoption of electric vehicles will be a long-term solution to keep cities clean, create new markets and skill people for new jobs towards 'Self-reliant India'.
Government Initiatives-
National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020:
· It is a national mission document that lays out the vision and roadmap for manufacturing and adoption of electric vehicles in the country.
· The scheme is designed to enhance national fuel security, provide affordable and eco-friendly transportation and enable the Indian automotive industry to become a global manufacturing leader.
· NEMMP 2020 has an ambitious target of selling 6-7 million hybrid and electric vehicles year on year from 2020 onwards.
Rapid adoption and manufacturing of hybrid and electric vehicles:
· FAME-I:
o In order to promote manufacturing and usage of electric and battery eco-friendly vehicles in the country, the Government launched the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme in 2015 with an outlay of INR 8.95 billion (USD 130 million), under which electric powered 2- and 3-wheelers, hybrids and e- Subsidies were provided for cars and buses.
FAME-II:
o The government has approved Phase II of the FAME scheme with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore for a period of 3 years commenced from 1st April 2019. Of the total budgetary support, about 86 per cent of the funds have been allocated for promotion of demand.
Incentives to generate demand for electric vehicles in the country;
v The government has provided incentives for electric buses, three-wheelers and four-wheelers to be used for commercial purposes by 2022 and has set aside $135 million for setting up charging stations.
v Based on the experience gained from Phase-I of the FAME India scheme, it is observed that there is a need for an adequate number of charging infrastructure for the expected outcome of the scheme, which is currently being addressed in Phase-II of the FAME scheme.
NITI Aayog's proposal:
· A subsidy of $4.6 billion has been proposed by NITI Aayog for battery manufacturers.
· These policies are embedded in the vision of having 30% electric vehicles on the roads by 2030.
Attracting foreign automobile companies to set up base in India:
· Major Japanese automobile Suzuki Motor has formed a consortium with Japanese automotive component maker Denso and multinational conglomerate Toshiba to set up a manufacturing unit in Gujarat. The unit will manufacture lithium-ion batteries and electrodes.
Exploration of Mineral Wealth:
· The Government has taken a forward-looking action by sending a high level delegation to have accurate information about the availability of Lithium and the prospects of the combined industry supplying the domestic and international markets.
· The need to ensure a steady supply of lithium and cobalt prompted India's National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) and Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) to form a consortium called Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL). It will identify critical minerals like lithium and cobalt overseas for commercial use and to meet the domestic requirement of battery manufacturers.
Production Based Incentive (PLI):
· The government's PLI scheme for Advanced Chemical Cells (ACC) with an incentive of Rs 18,000 crore is likely to boost investment.
India aims to adopt 100% electric vehicles by 2030. Several factors such as increased government support, decreasing cost of technology, country's increasing interest in electric vehicles, reducing pollution levels will collectively boost India's transition to electric vehicles and help the government to achieve its target.
Q2. भारत में प्रदूषण नियंत्रण से संबंधित प्रमुख कानूनों की संक्षिप्त चर्चा कीजिए।
Briefly discuss the major laws related to pollution control in India.
Approach:
· In introduction, define pollution.
· Further highlight the importance of legal provisions in pollution control.
· Discuss the major laws related to pollution control in India.
Answer:
The change in the properties of the environment due to the entry of undesirable substances into the natural environment, which creates a natural imbalance, is called pollution. Pollution is the entry of unwanted substances into the air, water, soil, etc., which have a direct negative effect on the living beings and disturbs the balance of the ecosystem.
Many statutory and executive measures are taken to control pollution. Education, public awareness and efforts of various non-governmental organizations play an important role in extra-legislative measures, however, through statutory or legal measures, an effective pressure is created and it legally fixes the responsibilities. But there is also a provision of punishment, which generates a positive effect to a large extent.
Environmental laws for pollution control in India: Various laws have been passed by the Indian Parliament from time to time for pollution control. These are as follows-
1- Environment Protection Act, 1986
· The EPA Act was enacted under Article 253 of the Indian Constitution which provides for the enactment of legislation for giving effect to international agreements.
· The Central Government shall have the power to take all such measures as it deems necessary or expedient for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the environment in coordination with the State Governments.
· No individual or organisation shall discharge/emit or permit to discharge/emit any environmental pollutant in excess of the prescribed standards.
· No individual shall handle or shall be caused to handle any hazardous substance except in accordance with the procedure and without complying with the safeguards, as prescribed.
· Non-compliance or Contravention to any of the provisions of the Act is considered as an offence.
o Any offences under the EPA are punishable with the imprisonment of upto five years or a fine upto one lakh rupees or both.
2- The Water Pollution (Prevention and Control) Act, 1974
· The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in 1974 to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution, and for the maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness of water in the country.
· The Act vests regulatory authority in State Pollution Control Boards to establish and enforce effluent standards for factories.
· A Central Pollution Control Board performs the same functions for Union Territories and formulates policies and coordinates activities of different State Boards.
· The Act grants power to SPCB and CPCB to test equipment and to take the sample for the purpose of analysis.
· Prior to its amendment in 1988, enforcement under the Act was achieved through criminal prosecutions initiated by the Boards.
3- Air Pollution (Prevention and Control Act), 1981
· To implement the decisions taken at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held at Stockholm in June 1972, Parliament enacted the nationwide Air Act.
· The main objectives of this Act are to improve the quality of air and to prevent, control, and abate air pollution in the country.
· The Air Act expanded the authority of the central and state boards established under the Water Act, to include air pollution control.
· National Air Quality Programme, Vehicle Fuel Policy, Air Quality Index etc., AQI
· Provision of noise pollution control.
· The Act grants power to SPCB and to test equipment and to take the sample for the purpose of analysis from any chimney, fly ash or dust, or any other.
· The 1988 amendment act empowered SPCB and CPCB to close a defaulting industrial plant.
Apart from this, the establishment of National Green Tribunal (NGT) as a statutory body has also been an important step in this direction.
