Technology Assessment Cells
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) strategy document envisages Technology Assessment Cell to evaluate significant technologies with reference to prevention, control, and abatement of pollution. In this regard, the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) had issued guidelines for NKN and Institutes of Repute (IoR). These guidelines were issued under the National Clean Air Programme on 22.09.2022.
Amendments in EPA, 1986
The T.S.R. Subramanian Committee was constituted to review the environmental Acts and to suggest appropriate amendments. The intention was to bring the Acts in line with their objectives and current requirements. The T.S.R. Subramanian Committee Report was reviewed by the Parliament Standing Committee on Science & Technology in the year 2015. The Committee recommended that the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change should give due consideration to the views/opinion and objections raised instead of implementing the recommendations contained in the Report of the HLC.
MoEF & CC announces the measures taken to ban use of single use plastic
Plastic raw material manufacturers are directed to stop supplying plastic raw material for manufacture of banned single use plastic items,
The Commission for Air Quality Management Revokes Actions under Stage III of GRAP in Delhi
The Sub-Committee for operationalization of the revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in its meeting, held on 7th December, 2022, further reviewed the air quality scenario in the Delhi. Air Quality Index (AQl) of Delhi has been progressively improving as a result of this, the Sub- Committee has revoked, with immediate effect actions under Stage-III (Severe Air Quality) of the GRAP. However, actions under Stages-I to stage-ll of the GRAP shall remain invoked and be implemented, monitored and reviewed by all agencies.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime under new E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022
These rules will launch a new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime for e-waste recycling and shall be effective from April 01, 2023.
Assam PCB exempts DG sets upto 1MVA capacity from the purview of consent management of the board.
The bulk users of DG sets like telecom companies shall comply with the hazardous and other wastes (management and transboundary movement) Rules, 2016 and shall ensure that hazardous and other waste generated by them including spent oil and used batteries shall be given to authorized actual users, waste collector or operator of disposal facility in accordance with the central pollution control board guidelines.
Government of Uttar Pradesh Notifies Green Hydrogen Policy.
The policy shall support production, consumption, market creation, and other elements across the green hydrogen/ammonia value chain. Green hydrogen has a large potential for uptake in Nitrogenous (N-) Fertilisers, Chemicals, Refineries, Heavy-duty vehicles, Energy storage and Iron and Steel sectors.
Draft Environment (Protection) (Amendment) Rules, 2022 relaxes maximum permissible Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) limit for a Common Effluent Treatment Plant
Any person interested in making any objections or suggestions on the proposals contained in the draft notification may forward the same in writing, for consideration of the Central Government within 60 days to the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jor Bagh Road, New Delhi – 110 003, or send it to the email address: mscb.cpcb@nic.in and sonu.singh@gov.in.
Delhi PCC issues direction on closing down of all industries in Delhi which are running of fuels.
It has been directed to ban plying of Delhi registered diesel operating medium goods vehicles (MGV) and heavy goods vehicles (HGV) in Delhi except those carrying essential commodities/providing essential services.
DigiLocker users can now digitally store health records and link them with Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA).
DigiLocker had earlier completed level 1 integration with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) wherein the platform had added ABHA or Ayushman Bharat Health Account creation facility for its 13 crore users. The latest integration will now enable users to utilize DigiLocker as a Personal Health Records (PHR) app.