Abstract

Air Quality Management in the Light of Policy Implementation, People Involvement, Government,s Action for the State of Bihar- A Case Study Emphasizing on 15^th Finance Commissions Funding, India

Author(s): Ananya Das* and Ashok Ghosh

Purpose: The 15^th Finance commission had advised the union ministry of finance for disbursement of fund of approx. 2200 crore rupees to 15 states for clean air action acceleration in million plus cities in India. The allotment of this fund is for implementation of strategies and plan for a cleaner air.

Methodology/Approach: The distribution of fund also depends on the performance matrix towards cleaner air. The fund is to be segmented between the stakeholder departments in each State, and particularly each city of each state having million plus population. It’s a 5 year agenda plan which includes reduction of particulate matter level to 20%-30% for Non-Attainment Cities (NAC’s) till 2024, considering the baseline year as 2017. So we have tried finding a true analysis of the activities that are done for the State of Bihar and making it an example study in the field of development sector and stakeholders to work against the pollution.

Findings: The operational guidelines for implementation of mitigation strategies for the grant was issued in June 2020. Here in this short communication we have tried assimilating and screened down the indicator parameters on which the funding is planned to be disbursed over the years. We have also tried to work on the plans and stake holders mapping for the NAC i.e., Patna and how the funding is enhancing the air quality management for Bihar. The unique strategies that the State has taken for implementation of activities towards the air pollution problems.