Post Budget Reaction - Mr. Bengt Rittri, Founder and CEO of Blueair

"We welcome the initiatives taken by The Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley in this budget to control the air pollution levels in the country. However, home and business owners as well as the air purifier industry need to be incentivised to get air pollution protection devices such as air purifiers in every Indian homes. To start with, reducing import duties on air purifiers can be a step that can be taken by the government."

Background on the actions taken this Budget on air pollution -

1. Air pollution in rural- The Finance Minister announced that the government will provide LPG connection in the name of women in rural households and Rs. 2,000 crore will be allotted for this. This will bring down indoor air pollution caused by the 'chulhas' (stoves)- burning wood, coal and animal dung as fuel - which is major factor behind the occurrence of a slew of diseases, including respiratory diseases among women.

2. Vehicles to cost more - In a move aimed at checking the rising air pollution levels in the country, Mr. Arun Jaitley has levied additional taxes on Diesel and SUVs to pull down the demand. He announces 1% Clean Energy Cess on LPG cars, 2.5% on diesel, 5% on SUVs as part of green measures and to encourage use of Hybrid cars.

3. Clean energy cess - There is an announcement of clean energy cess in this budget to reduce the negative environmental consequences and increased pollution levels associated with industrialization and urbanization. It increased from Rs 200/ton to 400/ton on coal, lignite and peat.

Source : Equity Bulls

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