The environment and coal ministers have finalised the agenda of the first meeting of the group of ministers (GoM) that will settle the tussle over the classification of ?go, no-go? areas. The group will not only look at the efficacy and legality of existing forest clearance norms and procedures, but would also devise an advanced environment clearance process that prevents projects from facing any environment hurdles in the midst of a project cycle.
The 12-member GoM, approved by prime minister Manmohan Singh, will consider all issues relating to reconciliation of environmental concerns emanating from various developmental activities including those related to infrastructure and mining and finalise its recommendations with in two months. It was setup after the ministries of coal, power and road transport had accused environment minister Jairam Ramesh of causing delay to key infrastructure projects on environmental grounds.
The GoM was also formed in the backdrop of the fact that the ministry of environment and forests had designated about 30% of 4,50,000 hectare which have 206 coal blocks, as ?no-go? areas for coal mining. The coal ministry had then opposed the demarcation saying it would hamper India?s economic growth as production capacity of 660 million tonnes per annum in 206 coal blocks falls in these ?no go? zones.
In fact, environment minster Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday met coal minister Jaiswal for resolving issues that are hurting coal production. ?have arrived at a consensus on many issues and are hopeful to resolve majority of them before the GoM on coal. Both the ministries would come out with decisions that would be in the interest of the country, its industrialization and augment its power generation capacity,? said Jaiswal
The GoM will look at environment clearance process in respect pf projects located in areas with high Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index which is a descriptive index of pollution. Moreover, as per the GoM agenda, it will also look at the steps to be taken to ensure that better quality forests are regenerated in a time bound manner after mining operations get over. Besides, the GoM will also suggest changes, if any, in the existing rules.
To make the policy comprehensive, the GoM will also consider identifying a group of experts who could come out with novel suggestions to streamline the entire clearance process. It will also suggest changes in existing statutes, rules, regulations, guideline and other executive order that facilitates the process of streamlining the process of clearances for mining operations.
Prior to the ministerial meeting, environment and coal secretaries met last week to discuss the issue of coal projects where environmental clearance is pending.