Archive · 21 Jul 2026
SC Seeks Centre, CPCB Response on Unspent ₹1,000-cr Envt Relief Fund
The Supreme Court has asked the Indian government and the Central Pollution Control Board to explain why a large environmental relief fund of over ₹1,000 crore has not been used.
This fund was collected to help road accident victims but has remained unused since it was created in 2008.
The court wants to know why the money hasn't been spent and if there is a plan to use it in the future.
The Supreme Court sought responses from the Centre and CPCB on the non-utilization of a ₹1,000 crore environmental relief fund.
The fund was collected under Section 146 of the Motor Vehicles Act and the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991.
The petitioner, activist Gyan Prakash, argued that the fund should be used for road accident victims.
The government informed the court that ₹881 crore was collected by 2020, and the amount later rose above ₹1,000 crore.
The court asked the Centre and CPCB to provide a comprehensive response on the utilization of the fund.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India, Centre, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Activist Gyan Prakash
- What
- Non-utilization of environmental relief fund
- When
- 2023
- Where
- New Delhi
- Why
- To ensure the fund is used for its intended purpose
Petitioner's View
Government's View
Utilization of Environmental Relief Fund
Petitioner's View
The petitioner argues that the environmental relief fund should be used for road accident victims.
Government's View
The government has not provided a clear mechanism for the utilization of the fund.
- Fund Amount
- Over ₹1,000 crore
- Year of Fund Formulation
- 2008
- Amount Collected by 2020
- ₹881 crore
- Managing Authority
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
- Legal Provisions
- Section 146 of the Motor Vehicles Act and the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991