Cement, Energy and Environment

(a) whether the environmental clear.o:· ·::ss for hydel power projects which are under construction are being delayed in the country; (b) if so, the details of pending proposals of on– going hydel power projects in the country; (c) the reasons for pendency of the said projects; (d) whether the Government is taking any steps for immediate disposal of pending proposals of the said projects; and (e) if so, the details thereof? Answer MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN) (a)to(c) As per the Environment Impact Assessment Notification 2006, as amended from time to time , hydro-electric power projects, as listed in the Schedule of the Notification, requ ire prior environmental clearance. As on 30.11.2013, nine cases of hydroelectric power projects are pending with the Ministry of Environment & Forests for environmental clearance (EC). The reasons for pendency inter-alia include non-submission of the additional and requisite information associated with these projects by the project proponents. (d)&(e) The improvements in systems, so as to facilitate qualitative, sustainable, holistic early decision-making in a transparent and objective manner, is a continuous process. Various steps taken by the Ministry to fast track the EC process without compromising the quality of the appraisal or the integrity of the environment include (i) continuous monitoring of status of pending projects, (ii) regular and longer duration of meeting of Expert Appraisal Committees (EACs) for consideration of projects. ******* GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5 2 0 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 . 12.2013 Clearances to Projects 520. Shri Ramsinh Rathwa: Wil l the Minister of Environment and Forests be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government proposes to transfer the jurisdiction of environmental clearances of Category 'B' projects in critical ly polluted areas to respective State Level Expert Appraisal Committee/ State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SLEAC/SEIAA); (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and (d) the steps taken by the Government in this regard? Answer MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN) (a) No, Sir. (b) Does not arise in view of reply to (a) above. (c)&(d) As per the General Condition under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, any project or activity specified in Category 'B' will be treated as Category 'A', if located in whole or in part within 10 km. from the boundary of critically polluted areas as notified by the Central Pollution Control Board from time to time. This is with a view to ensuring higher level of scrutiny of such projects. Further, there are restrictions for consideration of projects in critically polluted areas, which are under the moratorium. *********** GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVI RONMENT & FORESTS LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 151 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16. 12 .2013 Pollution Norms for Industries *151. Shrimati Kamla Devi Patle: Shri Hamanand Biswal: Will the Minister of Environment and Forests be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has notified any norms or issued any guidelines for various industries to be complied for prevention and control of pollution in the country; {b) if so, the details thereof including the norms notified in respect of treated effluents and emissions for the industries; (c) the number of industries which were found violating these norms/guidelines during the last three years, State/UT-wise; and 1J