This addendum, reference number No. 15(2)FC-XV/FCD/2020-25, dated September 17, 2021, from the Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure (Finance Commission Division), located at 11th Block, 5th Floor, CGO Complex, Lodi Road, New Delhi-110003, pertains to the operational guidelines for the implementation of recommendations on Urban Local body grants[Ambient Air Quality component] in Chapter 7 of the Fifteenth Finance Commission (FC-XV) Final Report.
It refers to operational guidelines issued on August 10, 2021, reference number 15(2)FC-XV/FCD/2020-25. It adds to para 14 (Distribution of undisbursed grant) that if any of the FC-XV recommended 42 Million Plus Cities/UAs have PM10 concentration levels at or below the National Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 60 µg/m³ and do not qualify for Ambient Air Quality Grant disbursal in a given year, the MoEF&CC may consider incentivizing such cities/UAs from the undisbursed portion (before distribution to the best performing Cities/UAs) of the Air quality Grant. The Director (FCD) is Abhay Kumar. The addendum is addressed to (i) All State Chief Secretaries, and (ii) The Secretary, MoEF&CC, Govt. of India, Indira Paryawaran Bhawan, New Delhi.
Key Entities Referenced
Fifteenth Finance Commission (FC-XV): The document provides operational guidelines for implementing recommendations on Urban Local Body grants related to Ambient Air Quality as detailed in Chapter 7 of the FC-XV's Final Report.
Ambient Air Quality Grant: This is a grant recommended by the FC-XV and disbursed based on air quality standards; the document outlines conditions for incentivizing cities/UAs regarding this grant.
Ministry of Finance: The ministry under which the Department of Expenditure (Finance Commission Division) operates, which issued this addendum.
MoEF&CC: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is given the authority to incentivize cities/UAs based on their performance related to air quality grant.
National Air Quality Standard (NAAQS): The benchmark used to assess eligibility for disbursal of the Ambient Air Quality Grant; cities with PM10 levels at or below NAAQS may be incentivized.
No. 15(2)FC-XV/FCD/ 2020-25
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
(Finance Commission Division)
11th Block, 5th Floor,
CGO Complex, Lodi Road,
New Delhi- 110003.
Dated:-1 7-09-2021
Addendum
Subject:- Operational Guidelines for implementation of the recommendations on
Urban Local body grants[Ambient Air Quality component] contained in
Chapter 7 of the Fifteenth Finance Commission (FC-XV) Final Report —
regarding.
Ref.:- Operational Guidelines issued by the Department of Expenditure vide O. M. No.
15(2)FC-XV/FCD/ 2020-25, dated 10-08- 2021 for the implementation of the
FC-XV recommended Ambient Air Quality Grant.
In para 14 (Distribution of undisbursed_grant) of the reference cited above, the
following is added at the end of the para;
‘(C) Incase any of the FC-XV recommended 42 Million Plus Cities/UAs having
PM,o concentration levels below or equal the National Air Quality Standard
(NAAQS) of 60 Ug /m? and not qualifying for the disbursal of allocated Ambient
Air quality Grant in a year(s) during the award period, MoEF&CC may consider
incentivizing such cities/UAs appropriately from the undisbursed portion (before
distribution to best performing Cities/UAs) of the Air quality Grant.
(Abhay Kumar)
Director(FCD)