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While #DraftEIA2020 is still out for public review, EACs are already laying the groundwork #Thread
On May 19, 2020 the matter of standardisation of all categories of projects listed under "Industry-2" was discussed within the ministry. 1/
On May 19, 2020 the matter of standardisation of all categories of projects listed under "Industry-2" was discussed within the ministry. 1/
In June 2020 the EAC (Expert Appraisal Committee) Industry-2 discussed the matter and decided that a zero draft of standardised specific ‘monitorable’ and ‘implementable’ conditions would be prepared. 2/
It was suggested: “in order to avoid duplicity and complexity of conditions, only such conditions shall be stipulated which are directly linked with the project and monitoring and not covered under any other acts/rules/standards/guidelines etc.” 3/
Thereby the EAC created a zero draft of standard conditions for nine sectors:
1. chlor-alkali
2. soda ash
3. chem fertilisers
4. pesticides
5. manmade fibre manufacture
6. synthetic organic chemicals
7. distilleries
8. integrated paint industries
9. sugar industries. 4/
1. chlor-alkali
2. soda ash
3. chem fertilisers
4. pesticides
5. manmade fibre manufacture
6. synthetic organic chemicals
7. distilleries
8. integrated paint industries
9. sugar industries. 4/
The committee recommended that there could be three types of conditions:
1.Project specific: “may be deliberated during the EAC”
2.Process category specific: “are deliberated by the EAC”
3.Generic- “it should be generic in nature” 5/
1.Project specific: “may be deliberated during the EAC”
2.Process category specific: “are deliberated by the EAC”
3.Generic- “it should be generic in nature” 5/
Pls note “may be deliberated..” against the project specific conditions. Safeguards based on contextual realities have been made optional! http://environmentclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/Form-1A/Minutes/27072020NZA9R38R21stEACmeetingminutes.pdf
6/
6/
According to CPCB categorisation of industries, five of these are highly polluting industries: Chlor-alkali, chemical fertilisers, pesticides, distilleries and sugar industries. 7/
#DraftEIA2020 proposes standard conditions for all clearances with ‘optional’ specific conditions and this is how the EAC-Industry II is prepping the ground for it.!! 8/
In #DraftEIA2020, MSME units of Synthetic organic chemicals & integrated paint industries are either exempt from obtaining an Envt Clearance (EC) or need just an Envt Permission (EP). EP doesn’t include public hearing (PH) appraisal by an EAC. 9/
Many of these units don’t need to conduct a PH if in an Industrial Estate. In absence of PH, EIA report, appraisal, many contextual concerns will not get noted anyhow. So why bother insisting on addressing something that won’t even get recorded! End/
