Rating states on faster green approvals may weaken environmental safeguards

The star rating system is the latest in a series of orders passed by the ministry that seeks to subvert the intent behind environment clearance, which is to protect the environment

The environment ministry, on January 17, 2022, introduced a star rating system to incentivise states for quick disposal of environment clearance applications for development projects, which, experts say, will undermine the due diligence that is required in verifying environmentally sensitive projects. 

The ratings will improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability and will promote the "ease of doing business", the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) said. 

"The ranking system reflects a twisted understanding of what environment impact assessment processes are designed to achieve," said Kanchi Kohli, senior researcher at the Delhi-based think-tank, the Centre for Policy Research. "It incentivises