Review vehicular emission standard, install air purifiers in schools, suggests House panel

The Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change report was tabled by the panel’s Chairman and BJP MP Bhubaneswar Kalita.

The panel said that no single policy or quick fix solution can untangle the deep-rooted pollution issue. It noted that even as the government’s effort to reduce air pollution have fallen short, a prohibitive tax was levied on air purifiers, which it said citizens were forced to rely on. “Imposing such a tax effectively monetizes a public health failure,” the panel stated.

It added that since children are among the most vulnerable to poor air, it recommended installation of air purifiers in all public schools of Delhi-NCR, and public hospitals, especially critical wards. It also sought that the government make it mandatory to install air purifiers in government offices.

Analysing vehicular emissions and adoption of ethanol as alternate fuel, the panel acknowledged the rationale of ethanol blending for energy security, but flagged unintended impacts such as rise in nitrogen oxides emissions from older vehicles which are not fully compliant with blended fuel. It also delved into the issue of evaporative emissions, which lead to ozone formation. It thus recommended that the government should “undertake a comprehensive review of the nation’s vehicular emission standards.”

It said that the review should evaluate the necessity of adopting more stringent evaporative emission standards. These standards relate to capturing fuel vapours from vehicles. On EV adoption, the panel noted the slow progress and said the government could consider incentives and some deterrents.

It suggested offering cheaper or free public parking for EV owners, and steeper rates for petrol and diesel vehicles. Beyond parking incentives, it said the government could also consider an “annual ceiling on the registration of new non-electric vehicles” across NCR.

On stubble farming, the standing committee also took cognizance of media reports which indicated that farmers were evading satellite detection of farm fires. Expressing concern about these tactics, the panel recommended that ISRO launch a dedicated high-resolution satellite capable of monitoring farm fires 24×7, and a space application mapped with digital farm land records.

The panel also examined the national ambient air quality standards and average annual air quality index. It noted that Delhi’s annual PM 2.5 levels needed to be slashed by 62% to meet the air quality standards, and by 95% to meet WHO standards.

Major recommendations

• Considering abolishing or reducing GST on air purifiers
• ISRO should launch a dedicated high-resolution satellite for 24*7 farm fire monitoring
• Review vehicular emission standards to evaluate impact of ethanol blending on emissions
• Consider income tax incentives such as deduction on the interest paid on EV loans
• Green car loans with lower interest rates for EV purchase
• Installing air purifiers in all schools and hospitals, and mandatorily in government offices
• Expedite revision of national ambient air quality standards