Star Rating System for states

Star rating on environmental clearing efficiency for states

 Star Rating System for states

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• The story: The Union Environment Ministry has proposed to “rank” and “incentivise” States on efficiency to give environmental clearances to proposed infrastructure projects.
• Details: Under this scheme, State-level environment committees that appraise industrial projects on their potential environmental risk would be incentivised with points for “transparency, efficiency and accountability”. The environmental clearance process is warranted for projects listed in the Environmental Impact Assessment notification of 2006. These projects are categorized based on the kind of environmental clearance they would require. Category A projects require mandatory environmental clearance at the central level, and category B projects are reviewed at the state level by the SEIAAs (State Environment Impact Assessment Authority). The environmental clearance has four stages: screening, scoping, public consultation, and appraisal. Know more About Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The project appraisal process is an online process where aspirant companies must upload documents on a portal called
• What is EIA: The UNEP defines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool used to identify the environmental, social and economic impacts of a project prior to decision-making. It was introduced in 1978 with respect to river valley projects. The EIA in India is statutorily backed by the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Its aim is to predict environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and design, to find ways to reduce adverse impacts and to shape projects to suit the local environment to present the predictions and options to decision-makers. By using it both environmental and economic benefits can be achieved, such as educed cost reduced time of project implementation and design, avoid treatment/clean-up costs.
• Why Star Rating being criticised: It could lead to oversight by the SEIAAs in granting environmental clearance. The Star Rating System has been criticized for violation of The Environment (Protection) Act. The task of the SEIAA is to undertake a ‘detailed scrutiny’ whereas this proposal makes them rubber stamp authorities. State committees are hampered by having too few independent experts and decision-making being left to bureaucrats rather than to environment specialists. Penalizing SEIAAs for seeking additional information more than once could lead to them granting clearances with inadequate data. It also creates artificial competition between states, which may result in industries locating in states that offer environmental clearance quicker.
• Summary: The effective and fair implementation of the scheme would be critical in getting the desired results.
• EXAM QUESTIONS: (1) What are the major environment protection laws by government? Write in brief on some of them. (2) Are environment protection laws in India effective? Make your case with examples.  

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