Ecotaxes on Polluting Inputs and Outputs

by Chelliah, Raja J.; Appasamy, Paul P.; Sankar, U.; Pandey, Rita

• ISBN13: 9788171885848
• ISBN10: 8171885845
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-09-01
• Publisher: Academic Foundation

Summary

The use of taxes to put pressure on polluters has had mixed results internationally, according to this study of economic instruments (EIs) as a means for cleaning up environmental-hazards. The analysis identifies several key considerations in structuring effective ecotaxes, including trade-offs between environmental and other goals, the size of the tax base, distortions in prices, the possibility of phasing in the taxes, incentives for compliance, and the advisability of earmarking of funds for environmental protection. Industries in India covered in the discussion include makers of automobiles, coal, fertilizers, lead acid batteries, paper and pulp, pesticides, plastics, phosphate-based detergents, and rayon.

Author Biography

Raja J. Chelliah is the chairman of Madras School of Economics. Paul P. Appasamy and U. Sankar are both professors at the Madras School of Economics. Rita Pandey is a professor at the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy.

Table of Contents

List of Figures, Tables and Annexures	p. 9
Foreword	p. 13
Acknowledgements	p. 15
About the Authors	p. 17
Introduction	p. 19
Externality
Regulatory Approach
Economic Approaches
International and Domestic Support for Economic Instruments
Design and Implementation of Ecotaxes	p. 27
Why Ecotaxes?
Coverage and Design Issues
International Experience
Scope of the Study
Coal	p. 61
Introduction
Production
Coal Demand Forecast
Imports and Exports
Pricing
Royalty on Coal
Environmental Problems
Inferior Coal and Beneficiated Coal
Coal Cess Based on Cost of Beneficiation
Proposed Rates of Ecocess on Coal
Estimate of Revenue from Ecocess
Clean Coal Fund
Conclusion
Automobiles	p. 91
Introduction
Vehicular Pollution in India
Ecotax Proposals in the Interim Report
Comments on the Interim Report by SIAM and Modifications in the Proposals
In-use Vehicles
Recommendations
Chlorine Use in Pulp and Paper and Viscose Rayon Industries	p. 121
Introduction
Industry Structure
Cost Aspects
Central Excise Duty on Paper
Chlorine Production and Use
Environmental Impact of Chlorine
Comments by Industry
Viscose Rayon
Recommendations
Phosphate Based Detergents	p. 131
Introduction
Detergent Industry
Use of Phosphates
Sodium Tri-Poly Phosphate (STPP)
Detergent Use in India
Regulatory Approaches
Experiences in Other Countries
Alternatives to Phosphates
Central Excise Duty
Comments by Detergent Manufacturers
Recommendations
Chemical Pesticides and Biopesticides	p. 139
Introduction
Pesticide Production in India
Pesticide Use in India
Pesticide Resistance
Toxic Residues in Food
Occupational Exposure
Registration and Licensing of Pesticides
Pricing of Pesticides
The Biopesticide Market
Botanical Pesticides
Acceptance of Biopesticides by Farmers
Recommendations
Fertilisers	p. 149
Introduction
Fertiliser Use in India
Fertiliser Consumption Per Hectare
Fertiliser Pricing Policy
Problems to be Considered
Nitrate Pollution
Biofertilisers
Factors Favouring and Limiting the Use of Biofertilisers
Fertiliser Taxes in Other Countries
Comments by the Fertiliser Association of India
Recommendations
Lead Acid Batteries	p. 161
Indian Battery Industry
Indian Lead Sector
Health Effects of Lead
Why Dealers Sell Battery Scrap to Traders and not Battery Manufacturers
Salient Features of Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001
The Main Issues at Hand
Measures to Control Environmental Pollution from Batteries: International Experience
Recommendations
Revenue Implications
Plastics	p. 179
Introduction
Background
Recycling
Plastic Wastes
Biodegradability
Bioplastics as an Alternative
Other Disposal Options
Government Initiatives
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Ecotaxes on Plastic Bags
Discussions with the Plastics Manufacturers Association
Recommendations
Summary	p. 191
Coal
Automobiles
Chlorine
Detergents
Pesticides
Fertilisers
Lead Acid Batteries
Plastics
References	p. 197
Index	p. 203
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