Clarification regarding utilizing CSR funds for Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0
To monitor flow and utilization of funds under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) including SBM-U 2.0 and AMRUT 2.0, a new procedure for flow of funds under CSS has been notified by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance on 23rd March, 2021.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change through PARIVESH portal automates the process of Environmental Clearance
In order to expedite the Environmental Clearance process, the Ministry has launched a single window online PARIVESH portal which automates the entire process of EC starting from submission of application, preparation of agenda, and preparation of minutes to grant clearances.
Safety Glass (Quality Control) Amendment Order, 2023
The amendment order states that the Safety Glass (Quality Control) Order, 2020 shall not apply to import of safety glass by a vehicle manufacturer for manufacturing up to ten thousand vehicles manufactured in India per financial year,
DPIIT invites comments on Draft QCOs
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has invited comments on Rubber Flooring Materials (Quality Control) Order, 2023 and Linoleum Sheets and Tiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023.
Maharashtra PCB exempts lockdown period from submission of application for consent
Consequent to the outbreak of COVID-19, Maharashtra PCB had extended the validity of consent to establish or operate and environmental authorisations, on several occasions. The Maharashtra PCB has now issued the present circular stating that the period from 1st April, 2020 to 31st March, 2021 is exempted for submission of application of consent or authorisation. Furthermore, for this stipulated period only regular consent fees will be charged.
PARIVESH Portal: A single window for reliable decision making
PARIVESH (Pro Active and Responsive Facilitation by Interactive and Virtuous Environmental Single-window Hub) is a web based, role-based workflow application which is developed for online submission and monitoring of the proposals.
NGT Chairperson no longer to sit as Single Member Bench
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified the National Green Tribunal (Practices and Procedure) Amendment Rules, 2023. These amendment rules were notified on 17th March, 2023 and shall come into force from 24th March, 2023.
CPCB revises ‘Guidelines for Grant of One-time Financial Support under Environment Protection Charge Funds for establishment of Pelletisation Torrefaction Plants to promote Utilisation of Paddy Straw’
New Units set up by individual entities/entrepreneurs/ companies after the issuance of these guidelines who will be using only paddy straw generated in the NCT of Delhi, States of Punjab & Haryana, and NCR districts of Rajasthan & Uttar Pradesh, and supply pellets/torrefied pellets to Power Plants and/or Indus tries, will be eligible for availing onetime financial support under Environment Protection Charge (EPC) funds.
MoEFCC issues press release on sustainable plastic packaging
Steps have also been taken by concerned central ministries and state governments towards implementation of the ban on identified single use plastic items. Private enterprises are manufacturing eco-alternatives.
BIS notifies Reverse Osmosis Based Point of Use Water Treatment System for Drinking Purposes- Specification (First Revision)
This standard was notified on 15th March, 2023. It may be recalled that the earlier standard was titled, ‘IS 16240 : 2015 Reverse Osmosis (RO) Based Point-of-Use (PoU) Water Treatment System — Specification’ . This previous standard will be withdrawn on 15th December, 2023.