l Exemption is for leases of less than five hectares l Centre to check rules framed by State govts l National Board for Wildlife to be constituted
TEAM HERALD
NEW DELHI: The Environment Ministry is in the process of empowering the State governments for the environmental clearance of small mines up to five hectares.
It will check the rules framed by the State governments to ensure they provide adequate environment protection before withdrawing its authority in this regard.
Environment and Forests Minister Prakash Javadekar disclosed this at a review meeting of the group of ministers, which was also attended by Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal.
Javadekar said the exemption from the central environment clearance will be granted after his ministry scrutinises the rules promoted by the State governments to verify their adequacy for environmental protection.
This exemption is for the mineral leases of less than five hectares in deference to the decisions of the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal, the sources said.
Javadekar also assured the meeting that he would soon constitute the National Board for Wildlife and it will then expeditiously dispose off the pending cases for clearance.
Piyush Goyal announced at the meeting that a separate auction of the coal blocks for the steel industry will be done expeditiously. He said steps were being taken to increase the capacity of the washeries at the Jharia coal fields to improve the supply of the coking coal to the steel industry.
He also disclosed that his ministry was reviewing all past notifications to repeal those violating various laws.
Exemption from the central environment clearance will be granted after his ministry scrutinises the rules promoted by the State governments
— Prakash Javadekar
