The government plans to raise 160 billion rupees through green bonds for the current fiscal ending March 31, with the first tranche of 80 billion rupees scheduled for auction on Wednesday. "The expectation of a green premium is in line with 'greenium' that issuers have got globally," said one of the two sources. "Green bonds should command a premium because of the mandates to invest in these securities. The RBI will auction 40 billion rupees each of five-year and 10-year green bonds. "It will be advisable to appoint an external auditor with an oversight by CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) for utilisation of green bond proceeds."

---