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Article

9 Nov 2014

Author:
Somesh Jha, Business Standard

India: Environmentalists wary of govt's. decision to ease green laws for biz push

The Narendra Modi-led government has issued around 50 fresh guidelines easing conditions for industry in about six months, beside launching an online system for applying environment clearances. In short, it has set the ball rolling for ushering in industry-friendly reforms...To increase transparency through Modi's e-governance model, MoEF has launched an online monitoring system for project developers. Thus, a project proponent will not have to visit the ministry office to apply for green clearance...The Centre has relaxed all rules from a project's primary phase to the last one...The Centre has also moved towards decentralising the process of environment clearance...To facilitate easier land acquisition in forest areas, the government is also contemplating doing away with...consent of gram sabhas...It has already done so for prospecting of minerals and some other activities...Aruna Chandrasekhar, Business and human rights researcher at Amnesty International India cautioned, "Some of the amended laws fall short of international standards on consultation and consent, and could further marginalise vulnerable communities who seldom have a voice in decisions taken around their lands and resources," she said.

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