In a major step to improve the Ease of Doing Business in the state, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has introduced a simplified and fast-tracked process for granting Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) certificates for industrial units and infrastructure projects across Goa.
A circular issued on July 11 outlines the reforms, which include self-certification and third-party inspections in place of departmental checks for projects with a capital investment of up to ₹50 lakh.
“In order to reduce the compliance burden, deregulate unnecessary procedures, and ensure timely approvals, the Board has rolled out a simplified system with immediate effect,” said Sanjeev Joglekar, Member Secretary of the GSPCB.
Self-Certification:
Project proponents with investments up to ₹50 lakh can now apply for CTE and CTO through a self-certification model by submitting an online form.
Third-Party Inspections:
Instead of internal department inspections, approved third-party agencies or empanelled environmental auditors will handle inspections for eligible industries.
Auto-Renewal of Consents:
CTE: Automatic renewal for a three-year period is now permitted for all industries, regardless of investment size, provided a requisition letter is submitted online. This process is free of cost.
CTO: Auto-renewal is also allowed for three years, though it requires payment of a renewal fee.
However, auto-renewal will not apply to cases where a court order is in effect or matters are pending before the NGT or judicial authorities, until legal resolution or full compliance is achieved.
The GSPCB expects these reforms to significantly reduce procedural delays and enhance the investment climate by supporting both small and large-scale industries.