State govts want simpler ‘green’ norms for SEZs
State governments have called for simplification of environmental clearance procedures for special economic zones (SEZs).
By Amiti Sen & G Ganapathy Subramaniam, TNN |
NEW DELHI: State governments have called for simplification of environmental clearance procedures for special economic zones (SEZs). Delay in getting this clearance, they have claimed, is one of the hindrances holding up notification of SEZs. Of the 237 SEZs cleared so far, only 32 have been notified.
At the board of approvals (BoA) meeting last week, states were asked to speed up procedural clearances for SEZs so that they get notified without delay. The board suggested that states governments should try their best to facilitate clearances and documentation.
Responding to this suggestion, representatives of state governments attending the meeting pointed out that one of the reasons for the delay was the complex procedure for obtaining environmental clearance. This should be simplified, they demanded.
According to official sources, the environmental clearance procedure for SEZ units has already been simplified to an extent. There are about 30 notified industries which have to mandatorily undergo an environmental impact assessment before they can start operations anywhere in India. However, the requirement of public hearing has been exempted in the case of units located in SEZs.
The 30 notified industries include petroleum refineries, chemical fertilisers, pesticides, petro-chemical complexes, bulk drugs and pharmaceuticals, oil exploration, synthetic rubber, distilleries, raw skins and hides, dyes, cement, foundries and electro-plating.
SEZ units which fall outside the 30 notified categories list just have to obtain a no objection certificate from the state pollution control board concerned.
It is understood that the BoA has communicated to several states, urging them to speed up implementation of SEZ projects. A communication to this effect was sent to Orissa where a dozen projects have been cleared, official sources said. The government feels that speedy implementation of SEZs, creating employment and economic activity, would neutralise the opposition to SEZ policy from various quarters.
At the board of approvals (BoA) meeting last week, states were asked to speed up procedural clearances for SEZs so that they get notified without delay. The board suggested that states governments should try their best to facilitate clearances and documentation.
Responding to this suggestion, representatives of state governments attending the meeting pointed out that one of the reasons for the delay was the complex procedure for obtaining environmental clearance. This should be simplified, they demanded.
According to official sources, the environmental clearance procedure for SEZ units has already been simplified to an extent. There are about 30 notified industries which have to mandatorily undergo an environmental impact assessment before they can start operations anywhere in India. However, the requirement of public hearing has been exempted in the case of units located in SEZs.
The 30 notified industries include petroleum refineries, chemical fertilisers, pesticides, petro-chemical complexes, bulk drugs and pharmaceuticals, oil exploration, synthetic rubber, distilleries, raw skins and hides, dyes, cement, foundries and electro-plating.
SEZ units which fall outside the 30 notified categories list just have to obtain a no objection certificate from the state pollution control board concerned.
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It is understood that the BoA has communicated to several states, urging them to speed up implementation of SEZ projects. A communication to this effect was sent to Orissa where a dozen projects have been cleared, official sources said. The government feels that speedy implementation of SEZs, creating employment and economic activity, would neutralise the opposition to SEZ policy from various quarters.
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