Matters concerned with Environment

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Centre sets-up panel on proposed EIA notification changes

Centre sets-up panel on proposed EIA notification changes

New Delhi, Aug 6 (PTI) The Centre has set up a six member-panel to consider suggestions and objections to the proposed controversial amendments to Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification, 2006 which exempts expanding or modernising industries from critical regulatory and oversight mechanisms for three years.

An official in the Environment Ministry said the panel headed by J M Mauskar, Additional Secretary in the ministry, and complete its task within three months.The government is facing flak from several environmentalists, social activists, social action networks and NGOs for the proposed amendments to the EIA Notification - 2006 which they alleged"give undue benefits to the industry"."The most unconstitutional feature of the proposed amendment is that it does away with critical regulatory and oversight mechanisms for three years.This is sought to be done by extending to applicants a relief in the form of'self certification'that merely requires them to declare their projects cause no additional pollution and thus open the gateway for self regulation,"Leo F Saldanha of the Environment Support Group, Bangalore said.If notified it would end the environmental clearance system in the country, he alleged.

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