NEPA, Green Tribunal to ensure pollution compliance
Jairam Ramesh, while inaugurating the 5th FICCI Environment Conclave 2009, announced the government's intention to set up an independent, professional and science-based NEPA for monitoring and ensuring compliance of the statutory safeguards
THE UNION government on Wednesday announced three major decisions on the environment front to ensure that industrial units fulfill their environmental obligations, deliver speedy justice to those affected by the implementation of environment and forest laws and the launch of a major programme for the cleaning of rivers.
Jairam Ramesh, Minister for Environment and Forests, while inaugurating the 5th FICCI Environment Conclave 2009, announced the government’s intention to set up an independent, professional and science-based National Environment Protection Authority (NEPA) for monitoring and ensuring compliance of the statutory safeguards agreed to by industry at the time of setting up units.
At the same time, a National Green Tribunal is on the anvil to deal with all civil cases relating to the disputes arising out of the implementation of the different environmental and forest laws.
Under the programme for cleaning of rivers, the government proposes to set up a Ganga River Basin Authority, for which a corpus of Rs 250 crore has been formed.
The Minister said, “industry needs to be far more serious in complying with the compliance standards. This the first step towards meaningful public private partnerships in waste management and disposal.”
By this year end, the National Environment Protection Authority, backed by state EPAs, would be in place to monitor the adherence to environment standards laid out and ensure compliance, Jairam Ramesh said.
He said, the National Green Tribunal would be a new environment track supported by benches in states. The Tribunal will afford a less time-consuming system of justice to people affected by the various laws relating to environment and forests.
In the next five years the government would bear all the O&M costs, reckoned at Rs 1300 crore, for the efficient functioning of the sewerage treatment plants. The plants would then be handed over to the municipal authorities for operation and maintenance.
Vijay Sharma, secretary, ministry of environment and forests, urged industry to look into the various models for PPP projects and emphasised the need to weld them with the financial institutions.
Harsh Pati Singhania, President, FICCI, urged the Minister to formulate a National Policy for Public Private Partnerships in Waste Management.
Ashwin C Shroff, chairman, FICCI Environment Committee and managing director, Excel Industries gave a vote of thanks.
At the same time, a National Green Tribunal is on the anvil to deal with all civil cases relating to the disputes arising out of the implementation of the different environmental and forest laws.
Under the programme for cleaning of rivers, the government proposes to set up a Ganga River Basin Authority, for which a corpus of Rs 250 crore has been formed.
The Minister said, “industry needs to be far more serious in complying with the compliance standards. This the first step towards meaningful public private partnerships in waste management and disposal.”
By this year end, the National Environment Protection Authority, backed by state EPAs, would be in place to monitor the adherence to environment standards laid out and ensure compliance, Jairam Ramesh said.
He said, the National Green Tribunal would be a new environment track supported by benches in states. The Tribunal will afford a less time-consuming system of justice to people affected by the various laws relating to environment and forests.
In the next five years the government would bear all the O&M costs, reckoned at Rs 1300 crore, for the efficient functioning of the sewerage treatment plants. The plants would then be handed over to the municipal authorities for operation and maintenance.
Vijay Sharma, secretary, ministry of environment and forests, urged industry to look into the various models for PPP projects and emphasised the need to weld them with the financial institutions.
Harsh Pati Singhania, President, FICCI, urged the Minister to formulate a National Policy for Public Private Partnerships in Waste Management.
Ashwin C Shroff, chairman, FICCI Environment Committee and managing director, Excel Industries gave a vote of thanks.
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