HLC report without meaningful consultations: Par panel

A Parliamentry panel has recommended formation of a new committee to consider afresh specific areas of environmental policy after it found the objections raised by experts on the proposals of a high level committee constituted to review green laws as "valid".
The Standing Committee on Science and Technology and Environment and Forest in its report said three months given to the high level committee (HLC) to review six green laws was "too short" and there was no cogent reason for hurrying through with the report without comprehensive and meaningful consultations with stakeholders.
"An impression should not be created that a committee, whose constitution and jurisdiction are itself in doubt, has been used to tinker with established law and policy.

"Should the government wish to consider specific areas of environmental policy afresh, it may consider appointing another committee by following established procedures," the committee chaired by former union minister Ashwani Kumar said.
It further said that the new committee should comprise of acclaimed experts in the field who should be given enough time to enter into comprehensive consultations with all stakeholders so that the recommendations were credit worthy and well considered which is not the case with the recommendations of the HLC under review.
The Environment Ministry had in August last year formed a HLC headed by TSR Subramanian to review six key green laws concerning protection and conservation of environment, forest, wildlife, water and air.

The HLC had submitted its report in November last and the recommendations witnessed widespread criticism as it was hurriedly prepared and lacked consultations.
These laws include Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Indian Forest Act 1927.