Coping with Pollution in India with Eco-Taxes: Integrated Approach Consistent with GST Regime

Project Team: Dr. D.K. Srivastava and Dr. Bhujanga C. Rao.

Time Period: Started in January 2009

Project Summary:

India is undertaking major changes of its indirect tax system leading to a comprehensive system of taxation of goods and services, which is slated to take off from April 1, 2010. This is the appropriate time to bring environmental concerns centre-stage in designing the taxation policies. This study aims at developing a White Paper backed by a detailed Technical Report, spelling out policy options for coping with pollution in the Indian context using eco-taxes. This policy paper will provide a framework in which the central and state governments can develop a coordinated inter-governmental approach to tackling issues of pollution in the light of India’s growth requirements while keeping pollution within acceptable limits.