MoEF&CC has published the Notification related to 3(a) Metallurgical Industries dated 20^th July, 2022.

Whereas, the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal vide its order, dated the 12th February, 2020, in Original Application No. 55/2019 (WZ), (Gajubha Jesar Jadeja vs Union of India &Ors.), has inter
alia observed that Cold Rolled Stainless Steel Manufacturing Industries require prior environment clearance but, having regard to the fact that there were a large number of such mills operating on the strength of Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO), the Hon’ble Tribunal has held that opportunity should be provided to such units to fall within the Environment Clearance regime by granting a period of at least one year to operate for the purpose;

And whereas, the Central Government, keeping in view the impact caused due to the Covid19 pandemic has taken a considered decision in line with the above said order of the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal, so as to provide a window period for such re-rolling or cold rolling units to obtain prior Environmental Clearance;

And whereas, the Central Government is of the view that steel re-rolling operations fall under the purview of the secondary metallurgical processing industry and require Environment Clearance as per item 3(a), relating to Metallurgical Industries (Ferrous and Non-ferrous), of the Schedule to the notification of the Government of India in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forest, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), vide notification number S.O. 1533 (E), dated the 14th September, 2006, mandating the requirement of prior environmental clearance for the projects covered in its Schedule (hereinafter referred to as the said notification), wherein all non–toxic secondary metallurgical processing units with capacities greater than 5000 tonnes/annum (TPA) fall under category B;

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986), the Central Government hereby directs that all the standalone re-rolling units or cold rolling units, which are in existence and in operation as on the date of this notification, with valid Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) from the concerned State Pollution Control Board or the Union territory Pollution Control Committee, as the case may be, shall apply online for grant of Terms of Reference (ToR) followed by Environment Clearance and the said units shall be granted Standard Terms of Reference as per item 3(a) of the said notification and shall be exempted from the requirement of public consultation:

1. Provided that the application for the grant of ToR shall be made within a period of one year from the date of this notification.
2. This notification shall come in to force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.