Delhi Cabinet approves Tree Transplantation Policy:
The Delhi Cabinet approved the `Tree Transplantation Policy` for the preservation of trees in the Capital. The Cabinet also approved the installation of the second smog tower in the world at Connaught Place within ten months. The project seeks to prevent large-scale felling for development projects.
Highlights:
♦ Under the policy, a minimum of 80% of trees affected by a development or construction project will be transplanted. Over 80% of the transplanted trees must survive after transplantation.
♦ Also, 10 saplings will be planted in addition to the whole tree being dug up with the root intact and scientifically transplanted at another location instead of being felled.
♦ Delhi state government is to form a panel of agencies for tree transplantation and the government departments concerned will contact these agencies.
♦ Under this initiative, various measures including Electric Vehicle (EV), tree transplantation, and preventing stubble burning will be taken.
♦ The main objective of the key components of this campaign was the tree transplantation policy.
Delhi government exempts battery-operated vehicles from road tax, step towards ‘pollution-free Delhi’:
The Delhi Transport Minister, Kailash Gahlot has informed that the Delhi Government has decided to exempt road tax on the battery-operated vehicles under its new Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy.
In the notification issued on October 10, 2020, the Transport Department stated that the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi has decided to exempt the tax which was levied upon all the battery-operated vehicles with an immediate effect.
The Delhi Transport Minister while sharing the information on Twitter added that with the right incentives and supporting infrastructure, the government has been determined to ensure Delhi leads the country in rapid transition to the Electric Vehicles.
Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2020:
Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal had announced the Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy, 2020 with an aim to increase the adoption of electric vehicles in the city by incentivizing the purchase. The government policy also aims to register more than 5 lakh electric vehicles in Delhi by 2024.
In August 2020, Delhi CM had announced that the state government has notified the policy. On the financial front, the government will be providing financial assistance to those who will be buying electric vehicles under the policy.
The assistance of Rs. 1.5 lakh will be given on the purchase of cars, Rs. 30,000 will be given for the purchase of 2-wheelers and Rs. 30,000 for e-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws.
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