Govt launches portal for online environment clearance for state-level projects

The environment ministry yesterday launched a web portal for online submission of applications for environment clearance by state environment impact assessment authorities for Category B projects. This follows the last year launch of the online application system for environmental clearance for Category A projects by the ministry. While applications for Category A projects come to the ministry for approval, applications under Category B projects do not come to the ministry and are dealt with at the State level itself. Based on the experiences of increased transparency, expeditious disposal without compromising upon the rigour of environment clearance, the process has encouraged the ministry to go in for a similar system at the state level, stated the ministry in a press release.
 
The web portal for Category B projects has been launched across the country and nineteen states have joined it instantly. Prakash Javadekar, environment minister, said, “New portal is a landmark and online processes have raised the levels of transparency and accountability. The online submission of applications will ensure that monitoring is carried out more effectively and on a real time basis and thus, status on the pendency is available clearly. The online submission of applications will also speed up clearance processes, while maintaining the rigours of Environment Clearance process.”
 
Stating that the joining of 19 states was a significant step forward in the process of environment clearance, Ashok Lavasa, secretary (ministry of environment, forest and climate change), said, “With this step, environment clearances for Category B projects have been put online.” The nine states include Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Manipur and Punjab.
 
In the next step, the ministry is targeting to bring all the clearances required and Hazardous Substances Management Rules online.