The Environment Ministry of India mitigates the hassles of obtaining environmental clearance for industries

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has released a Gazette notification aimed at simplifying the process for industries to obtain environmental clearances. This change eliminates the need for dual approvals, reducing bureaucratic steps and promoting industrial development. Under the new guidelines, non-polluting industries, categorized as 'white,' are now exempt from obtaining Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO). Industries that have already secured Environmental Clearance (EC) will not be required to apply for CTE, which cuts down on regulatory compliance and avoids overlapping approvals.

The MoEFCC's notification aligns with provisions under the Air Act and Water Act, ensuring procedural integration. A Standard of Procedure has been established to incorporate elements of the CTE review into the EC process itself. State Pollution Control Boards will remain involved in the EC stage to maintain oversight, while industries will still need to pay the CTE fee to prevent state revenue loss. This policy update aims to simplify regulations without compromising environmental safeguards.