SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Henceforth, no consent to operate (CTO) or consent to establish (CTE) under Water and Air Act, will be issued to any industrial units or projects without obtaining prior Environmental Clearance (EC).
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), in an order issued across all the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) has warned against issuance of CTO or CTE without valid EC in place.
The order was issued after the Ministry observed that while industrial units are in possession of valid CTO or CTE issued by State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/UT Pollution Control Committees (UTPCC). However, they have not obtained the EC, even though it was required as per provisions of EIA Notification 2006.
“This situation is arising because majority of the SPCBs/ UTPCCs are issuing CTE/CTO to projects without ascertaining the applicability of prior EC to projects/activities, resulting in an avoidable situation of closure for even those industries also who seek to carry out their activities following due procedure,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry has asked SPCBs to ascertain the applicability of EIA Notification at the time of grant/renewal of CTE and stipulate appropriate condition for obtaining Environmental Clearance (EC), if applicable, before construction/commencement of project/activity.
The SPCBs are asked to ensure that the project proponent possesses a valid Prior EC before granting CTO and no CTO will be granted or renewed unless EC, if applicable, has been obtained.
Prior EC is a statutory requirement for project/activities under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Similarly, obtaining the consents under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 is mandatory for all industrial units in Red, Orange and Green categories.
