NGT Raises Serious Concerns Over Utilization of Green Tax Funds in Rajasthan

The utilization of 'Green Tax' collected from vehicle owners for environmental protection and pollution control has come under strict judicial scrutiny in Rajasthan. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has raised serious questions over how thousands of crores collected over the past decade were diverted for unintended purposes.

Misuse of Environmental Funds Exposed

Green tax in Rajasthan is levied on older and polluting vehicles with the core objective of generating funds to improve the environment and transportation infrastructure. However, revelations before the Central Zone Bench of the NGT in Bhopal exposed a troubling reality. According to a joint committee report, the transport and road safety department received Rs 2,283.97 billion through green tax over the last 10 years.

The committee found that a portion of these funds was diverted to municipal corporations to run bus services and cover operational losses. Funds were also channeled to entities like Jaipur City Transport Services Limited (JCTSL) for pending salaries and contractor payments—expenditures strictly prohibited under the Rajasthan Transport Infrastructure Development Fund (RTIDF) Rules, 2012.

Strict Directives Issued by the Tribunal

Describing the fund allocation as "surprising and shocking," the NGT emphasized accountability. With particulate pollution levels rising due to road dust, biomass burning, and vehicular emissions, the tribunal directed the state to implement systemic improvements, including a Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Jaipur, increased vacuum-based road sweeping, and promotion of electric vehicles.

The transport department has been strictly instructed to ensure that green tax revenues are utilized exclusively for mandated pollution-control measures, reinforcing transparency for taxpayers.