India gears up for a low carbon economy

New Delhi, Jan.20 (AN): An expert group, formed earlier this month to prepare strategy for country's low carbon economy, held its first meeting here on Wednesday

Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh and Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia also participated in the meeting.

The 26-member group was set up by the Planning Commission and is headed by one of country's leading economists, Dr Kirit Parikh.

The panel has the task of assessing the low carbon options and outlining a roadmap for India.

"I think we would like to suggest or what we are about to suggest, if it is accepted by the government, would provide a sustainable method which will limit the subsidies to a level that they can finance without creating unleveled fields and so on. So we would like a level playing field, we would like a mechanism within that context which leads to competition, we would like a mechanism which limits subsidies and we would like a mechanis, that finances those subsidies in a consistent way," said Parikh.

The group is scheduled to present an interim report by the end of April and a final report at the end of September. (ANI)