Scientists are working to develop a viable process to handle stubble, Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan today said, as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced in his budget speech that special scheme will be rolled out to tackle pollution in Delhi and NCR states.
Terming the budget as "all-inclusive and growth- oriented", Vardhan said machinery required for institutional management of crop residue will be subsidised.
Presenting his fifth straight budget in the Lok Sabha today, Jaitley said air pollution in the Delhi-NCR state has been a "cause of concern".
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"A special scheme will be implemented to support the efforts of the governments of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and the NCT of Delhi to address air pollution and to subsidize machinery required for in situ management of crop residue," Jaitley said.
'Vardhan said the budget is a "growth-oriented new India Budget" for ensuring "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas (together with all development for all)".
The Budget gives further muscle to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fight against corruption will bring down the rural-urban divide, he said.
"Machinery required for institutional management of crop residue will be subsidized. Our scientists are also working to develop a viable process to handle stubble," the minister said referring to the special scheme to address air pollution.
Vardhan emphasised no earlier government thought of amending the vintage Indian Forest Act and give some relief to the small and marginal bamboo farmers, mainly from the Northeast.
"Removal of bamboo from the definition of 'tree' was historic," he said.
"The amendment was made after 90 years, which would now legally help cultivation and monetisation of bamboo through Restructured National Bamboo Mission and help the rural economy, especially in the North Eastern region," he said.
He pointed out that the Department of Science and Technology (DST) will launch a mission on Cyber Physical Systems to support establishment of centres of excellence.
"Allocation doubled for Digital India programme to Rs 3,073 crore in 2018-19," Harsh Vardhan, who also holds the portfolio, said.
He said the Budget pushes 'Innovation Ecosystem' as investment in research, training and skilling in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Manufacturing, Big Data Analysis, Quantum Communication and Internet of Things will give an opportunity to Indian computer professionals to take on competition in these areas.
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