Environment clearance for projects is a new form of 'License Raj': BJP's Prakash Javadekar

NEW DELHI: BJP has said 'roadblocks' in environment clearance for projects was a new form of license raj under the Congress-led UPA regime. "Today when there is a slowdown, the government should be proactive in sanctioning projects.

But, the environment ministry puts roadblocks... The inspector and license raj have returned in the form of environmental clearances for various projects," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters. He was reacting to an ET report published on Monday.

Javadekar said even in cases where a panel headed by the PM has given its nod, it is delayed on ground of environment clearance because of 'contradictions' within the government. "This is not in the interest of faster development of the country. The government is pulling in different directions on this issue and that is why the crisis persists," he said. There were 101 projects awaiting forest clearances, and 88 coal, road, hydel and thermal power projects awaiting environmental nod.

He said, "I am not talking of corruption. I am only talking of internal strife in the government... There is a need for unanimity on this critical issue between the various organs of the government to resist the international pressure, which impact the cost competitiveness of Indian exports." Environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan has rejected charges of deliberately delaying clearances, saying that companies were largely to blame for the state of affairs.