NEW DELHI: The Union Environment Ministry has notified the formation of two new interim bodies at the state level, which will automatically take charge and issue environmental clearances (EC) for projects whenever the tenure of State Environmental Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAA) and State Expert Appraisal Committees (SEAC) expires. The two new bodies created – Standing Authority for Environmental Impact Assessment (SAEIA) and Standing Committee for Environmental Impact Assessment (SCEIA), are needed as the process of re-notification of state-level bodies will lead to backlog of projects, thereby delaying approvals, the ministry said in a notification.
“The term of office of SEIAA and SEAC is three years, extendable by one year. In
In the absence of SEIAA and SEAC, projects within their scope are evaluated at the central level. The reconfiguration process usually begins six months before the expiry, however, delays occur due to late or incomplete submission of proposals by states,” the notification dated July 13 said, adding that the ministry should examine the EC approval process at the state level.
“It has been observed that delay in reconfiguration of the SEIAA system is leading to a complete standstill in the EC process at state levels and pending proposals are being transferred in bulk to the Center leading to extended timelines and undue delay in evaluation of projects, thereby impacting project timelines and investor confidence.” She added.
The notification explains that the two bodies will ensure the continuity of SEIAA and SEAC, acting as a “temporary” arrangement for the purpose of evaluating projects. While large Category A projects go to the Center directly, smaller Category B projects are approved by these two state-level bodies.
The notification stated that SAEIA would be headed by the Chief Secretary or Advisor to the Director or Lieutenant Governor (LG) as its Chairman, with other members including the Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Special Secretary/Joint Secretary/Deputy Secretary in the Environment Department as Member Secretary. The notification says the SCEIA will assist SAEIA and will be headed by the administrative secretary of the state environment department or UT, while also comprising the state chief wildlife warden and member secretary of the state pollution board. It will also have an expert in the field – either a director or director of an IIT or National Institute of Technology located in the state or UT.
The notification also amends the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification 2006 – extending the tenure of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (SEIAAs) and Environmental Impact Assessment Committees (SEACs) from three years to four years. Furthermore, it stipulates that the reconstitution of state-level bodies must begin at least six months before the end of their term.
