‘PM2.5 exposure cutting average life ₹1.12 L cr GST collections expectancy in Mumbai by 3.7 years’ in Aug, highest for month

MUMBAI: Exposure to PM2.5 — particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter (about 30 times thinner than the width of a human hair) — is potentially reducing the lifespan of the average citizen in Mumbai by 3.7 years, suggested a recently updated study by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute (EPIC), known as the Air Quality Life Index, or AQLI.

The index also showed that the average annual concentration of PM2.5 in Mumbai increased from 43.4ug/m3 to 47.9ug/m3 between 2016 and 2019. Accordingly, the outcome for life expectancy has been unfavourable and the average reduction in a single citizen’s lifespan has also decreased from 3.3 years in 2016 to 3.7 years in 2019.

This is based on the AQLI’S epidemiological assumption that life expectancy is reduced by 0.98 years for every 10 μg/m3 of sustained exposure to particulate matter.

The AQLI was first published in 2018, using available data till two years prior, i.e. till 2016. The latest instalment in the AQLI uses updated air pollution data till 2019.

Bad air days take a toll on state

NEW DELHI: The Goods and Services Tax collection crossed ₹1.12 lakh crore in August, a 29.6% year-on-year jump and the highest ever for the month since its launch five years ago, signalling robust recovery of business activities after the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic.

“Even as compared to the August revenues in 2019-20 [a non-covid year] of Rs 98,202 crore, this is a growth of 14%,” a finance ministry statement said.

Gross GST revenue hasn’t touched the ₹1 lakh crore mark in the month of August since its inception on July 1, 2017. According to official data, the GST collection in August 2017 was ₹95,633 crore, in 2018, ₹93,960 crore; in 2019, ₹98,202 crore; and in 2020, ₹86,449 crore.

GST collection in August this year, however, was 3.75% down from the July 2021 revenue of ₹1,16,393 crore.

Indirect tax collections, a weathervane of economic health, have now crossed the ₹1 lakh crore mark for two consecutive months after plunging below the benchmark in June (₹92,849 crore) because of the second wave that hit India.

“The high collection in August, relating to actual business transactions in July 21, indicates the revival of economic activities across states at the beginning of the festival season and is expected to be sustained over the coming months,” said MS Mani, senior director at consultancy firm Deloitte India.

HOWEVER, GST COLLECTION IN AUGUST WAS 3.75% DOWN FROM THE JULY 2021 REVENUE OF ₹1,16,393 CRORE