Estimates Committee Report Summary
- The Committee on Estimates (Chair: Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi) submitted its report on the performance of the National Action Plan On Climate Change (NAPCC) on December 10, 2018. The NAPCC was launched in June 2008 to deal with issues related to climate change.
- Regulation of NAPCC: The NAPCC comprises eight missions, including: (i) National Solar Mission, (ii) National Water Mission, and (iii) National Mission for a Green India. Each mission is anchored under a Ministry, which is responsible for its implementation, budgetary provisions, and its actionable priorities. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) is the coordinating Ministry of NAPCC. The broad policy initiatives of the Central Government are supplemented by actions at the level of state governments and Union Territories.
- National Solar Mission: The Committee noted that the Mission is expected to generate 1,00,000 MW by 2021-22, at an expected cost of Rs 6,00,000 crore. It noted that the funding requirement for the targeted solar power generation will be met from budgetary support, internal, and international financing. However, it expressed concerns about the lack of funds in relation to the targets under the Mission. It noted that the government’s outlay for the 12th Plan period is Rs 13,690 crore, which is a fraction of the required investment. The Committee recommended that an analysis of financial support from each source be undertaken by the government and a revised mission document be brought out indicating the sources of financing.
- National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency: The Committee noted that the Mission had under-utilised allocated funds. It noted that between 2010-11 and 2016-17, Rs 914 crore was the budgeted expenditure, which was revised to Rs 259 crore. Of this, only Rs 208 crore was spent. The Committee stated that one of the reasons for reduced allocation was delays in certain approvals. It recommended that the Ministry ensure that the funds are utilised for the schemes for which they have been allocated.
- National Water Mission: The Committee noted that the major components of the Mission include development of a comprehensive water database and assessment of impact of climate change on water resources. It was informed of an exercise undertaken to map all the water bodies in India. In this connection, the Committee referred to studies indicating that water availability data is unreliable due to use of outdated collection techniques and methodologies. Siloed information collection and sharing, especially between States, adds to costs and inefficiencies. The Committee recommended reviewing the techniques and methodologies of data collection and preparing a comprehensive database of all water bodies.
- National Mission on Sustainable Habitat: The Committee noted that the Mission aims at promoting sustainability of habitats though improvements in energy efficiency in buildings, urban planning, and improved management of solid and liquid waste. The objectives of the mission are being met through four schemes, including the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, and the Swachh Bharat Mission. By 2031, these schemes are expected to reduce Green House Gas emission to the tune of 270 million tonnes.
- The Committee observed that the emphasis of the Mission is limited to urban habitats only and does not take into account the requirements of the rural habitats. It recommended that the Mission introduce a comprehensive and integrated plan encompassing the needs of both rural as well as urban habitats.
- National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture: The Committee noted that although the Mission focuses on different aspects of agriculture, it does not include income security of farmers. It observed that the crop insurance scheme and the MSP scheme implemented by the government have not made farming remunerative. It recommended that the government consider these elements for the Mission and apprise the Committee of steps taken in this regard.
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