Cabinet approves financial incentive for industries, eateries
NEW DELHI: To fight pollution, Delhi Cabinet approved subsidy for use of electric or gas tandoors in place of coal tandoor at restaurants. The government also approved various incentives to industries for switching to PNG.
"Grant of 50 per cent subsidy of the cost or maximum subsidy of Rs 5,000 per tandoor, whichever is less, will be given to the owner or partners or managing director of the restaurants or eating outlets or banquet halls or hotels for replacing or conversion of their coal-based tandoors with electricity or gas based tandoors with effect from April 1," said an official.
Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) is authorised for overall implementation and monitoring of the subsidy scheme. "Only complete application in prescribed format shall be processed for the grant of subsidy and subsidy shall be given only to the restaurants which are having valid consent to operate the Air & Water Acts from DPCC and replaced or converted all their coal-based tandoors with electricity or gas based tandoors or install electricity or gas based tandoors in case of new unit," noted a statement. Payment will be met out from Air Ambience Fund maintained by DPCC.
Delhi is facing challenges of air pollution particularly with respect to higher particulate matter concentration in the ambient air. In order to deal with Severe or Severe Plus conditions as per the Air Quality Index (AQI), Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
The cabinet also approved the Environment Department proposal for incentives to industries in Approved Industrial Areas and Redevelopment Industrial Areas for switching over to Piped Natural Gas.
"Grant of Rs 50,000 to small industries and Rs one lakh to large industries will be provided as per the definition of Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL), in approved industrial areas in Delhi and redevelopment industrial areas for switching over to Piped Natural Gas (PNG)," noted the government statement.
