Draft rules show plan to cut green safeguards
NEW DELHI: An initial draft of a notification on environmental approvals that was released on April 15, and which has come to light now, could, if approved as a final notification, significantly dilute the process through which projects are granted green clearances.
Some of the more controversial aspects of the draft are actually amendments the government tried to get through, only to be scotched by legal challenges. If approved in the final notification, they will come into force.
The so-called “zero draft of the environment impact assessment notification 2019” is attached to an office memorandum (OM) of the environment ministry released on April 15, at a time when the Lok Sabha elections were underway — raising questions on the need for haste in pushing these through.
Most development and infrastructure projects need an Environmental Impact Assessment, or EIA.
The draft notification states that “the principal notification has undergone substantial changes over the years, the ministry has decided to re-engineer the entire notification in line with the amendments issued, office memorandums (OMs) and circulars issued from time to time and the experience gained over the years in the implementation of EIA notification.”
The OM dated April 15, enclosed with the draft notification, has sought comments from the state governments within a month’s time.
If notified, this will replace the EIA notification of 2006 which is the regulation in place for environmental clearance of all infrastructure and development projects.
The draft notification 2019 was shared by environmental activist Vikrant Tongad on Wednesday. “A source shared it with me. But it’s not on the ministry website. I think the ministry wants to do whatever it can to ensure ease of doing business,” Tongad said.