Aviation Fuel
Aviation fuels are petroleum-based fuels, or petroleum and synthetic fuel blends, used to power aircraft. They have more stringent requirements than fuels used for ground use, such as heating and road transport, and contain additives to enhance or maintain properties important to fuel performance or handling.
- Jet Fuel: Jet fuel is a clear to straw-colored fuel, based on either an unleaded kerosene (Jet A-1), or a naphtha-kerosene blend (Jet B). Similar to diesel fuel, it can be used in either compression ignition engines or turbine engines.
- Avgas: Avgas (aviation gasoline) is used by small aircraft, light helicopters and vintage piston-engined aircraft.
Aviation fuel and Climate Change
- In 2022 aviation accounted for 2% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, having grown faster in recent decades than rail, road or shipping.
- Aviation accounts for a relatively small share of global emissions but is one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonise.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel/ Bio-Jet Fuels
- It is produced from sustainable feedstocks and is very similar in its chemistry to traditional fossil jet fuel. Using SAF results in a reduction in carbon emissions compared to the traditional jet fuel it replaces over the lifecycle of the fuel.
- Some typical feedstocks used are cooking oil and other non-palm waste oils from animals or plants; solid waste from homes and businesses, such as packaging, paper, textiles, and food scraps that would otherwise go to landfill or incineration.
- Biofuel for aviation can be mixed with regular jet fuel and used together. Compared to traditional fuel, it has lower sulfur content, which can decrease air pollution and support India’s goal of achieving Net Zero emissions.
- The 41st ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) Assembly in South Korea adopted a Long-Term Global Aspirational Goal (LTAG) for international aviation of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 in support of the UNFCCC Paris Agreement.
- India has expressed its reservations regarding the global mandates for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with a target year of 2050, asserting that it is “too early.”
- India believes that each country should be allowed to develop its strategy according to its national plans.
Challenges
- High Cost
- Question of reliable supply
- Certification issue
- Feedstock Availability
Tax Devolution to States
Article 280(3)(a) of the Constitution of India mandates that the Finance Commission (FC) has the responsibility to make recommendations regarding the division of the net proceeds of taxes between the Union and the states.
Finance Commission (Article 280)
Article 280 is written word by word in Italics
(1) The President shall, within two years from the commencement of this Constitution and thereafter at the expiration of every fifth year or at such earlier time as the President considers necessary, by order constitute a Finance Commission which shall consist of a Chairman and four other members to be appointed by the President.
(2) Parliament may by law determine the qualifications which shall be requisite for appointment as members of the Commission and the manner in which they shall be selected.
(3) It shall be the duty of the Commission to make recommendations to the President as to—
(a) the distribution between the Union and the States of the net proceeds of taxes which are to be, or may be, divided between them under this Chapter and the allocation between the States of the respective shares of such proceeds;
(b) the principles which should govern the grants-in-aid of the revenues of the States out of the Consolidated Fund of India;
(bb) the measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of the Panchayats in the State on the basis of the recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the State;]
(c) the measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of the Municipalities in the State on the basis of the recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the State;]
(d) any other matter referred to the Commission by the President in the interests of sound finance.
(4) The Commission shall determine their procedure and shall have such powers in the performance of their functions as Parliament may by law confer on them.
Summary of Article 280
- Constituted by President every 5 years or earlier.
- It consists of a Chairman and 4 other members – all are appointed by President.
- Parliament may by law determine the qualification of the members.
- Duties of FC is to recommend President about following:
- Distribution of net proceeds from taxes between Union and State; and allocation between states.
- Principle that would govern the grant in aid to states.
- Measures needed to augment the CFI of State to supplement resources of Panchayat and Municipalities.
- Any other matter referred to FC by President in the interest of sound finance.
- FC determines their working procedure and their powers are determined by law of Parliament.
- Recommendations of the Finance Commission.—The President shall cause every recommendation made by the Finance Commission under the provisions of this Constitution together with an explanatory memorandum as to the action taken thereon to be laid before each House of Parliament.
Summary of Art 281
- President shall lay report of the commission as well as Action Taken Report before each house of Parliament.