The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has proposed new draft notifications to simplify the consent process for certain industries. These notifications aim to reduce duplication and ease the burden on businesses. They propose to exempt certain categories of industries/activities from dual compliance of Consent to Establish (CTE)/Consent to Operate (CTO) and Environmental Clearance (EC).
Exemption from Prior Consent
The proposal seeks to exempt specific categories of industries from obtaining Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) from State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs). These industries will be categorized as “White” by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Self-Declaration and Monitoring
Exempted industries will need to submit a self-declaration to SPCBs confirming compliance with existing regulations. SPCBs will maintain a list of exempted industries and ensure they operate within declared parameters.
Streamlining for EC Projects
Projects requiring Environmental Clearance (EC) will no longer need separate CTE. EC conditions will incorporate necessary CTE requirements. SPCBs will provide comments during the EC application process and may conduct site inspections. EC will become operational only after payment of the prescribed CTE fee to the SPCB.
These are draft notifications open for public consultation. Stakeholders can submit comments and suggestions before September 17, 2024.
This initiative by the MoEF&CC seeks to provide ease of doing business while maintaining environmental safeguards.
