Speeding Up Green Clearances: A Legislative Push for Coal Mining

A parliamentary panel recommended accelerating the approval process for environmental and forest clearances in coal mining. Highlighting discrepancies in approval times, the panel urged enhanced coordination among involved authorities to streamline processes. They emphasized on bridging the time gap between public and private sector project clearances.

A parliamentary panel has called for expedited procedures to secure environmental and forest clearances for coal mining projects across both public and private sectors. During a meeting chaired by Anurag Singh Thakur, the panel highlighted significant time differences in clearance approvals and urged for enhanced coordination among various stakeholders.

The Standing Committee on coal, mines, and steel expressed concern over the differing timelines, with central public sector undertakings taking 15 to 18 months to secure environmental clearances, while the private sector takes about 26 months. Forest clearance times are even longer, ranging from 24-30 months for the public sector and up to 34 months for private entities.

Environmental and forest clearances are essential statutory requirements mandated by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, for coal mining projects. The committee stressed the need for coordinated efforts among project proponents, environmental authorities, and the Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change to address these delays.

(With inputs from agencies.)