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The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (name changed by the new government) will now accept the online applications for environment clearances for the development projects. Prakash Javadekar, the new environment minister, launched the system for online applications for environment clearances after he took charge of the ministry on May 29.
The move comes in the backdrop of BJP government’s promises to the industry to ensure time-bound, hassle-free clearances to development projects. Javadekar said the online system will ensure transparency, real-time monitoring and adherence to timelines in the process of environment clearances. He informed media persons that under the new system, the applicant will be provided with a username and password through which the applicant can keep track of his/her application and there will be transparency between the ministry and the applicant. A similar system will be in place for forest clearances from next month, said Javadekar.
“There shall be a maximum time limit for the entire approval process, with stage-wise timelines and continuous efforts shall be made to bring down the timelines for each stage,” said Javadekar. He, however, added that this will be done “without making any compromise on the ongoing efforts to preserve the environment”. On the addition of words “Climate Change” in the name of the ministry, he said it was significant as India is set to present its case in international forums on climate change very forcefully.