S.O. 5020(E).— Whereas, the Central Government proposes to issue the following draft notification in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986). This notification is published, as required under sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, for public information. Any objections or suggestions must be submitted within sixty days from the date on which copies of the Gazette containing this notification are made available.

Objections or suggestions may be forwarded in writing to the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jor Bagh Road, Aliganj, New Delhi-110 003, or sent via email to sujit.baju@gov.in and r.sundar@nic.in.

Whereas, the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forest on 14th September 2006 (S.O. 1533(E)), mandates prior Environmental Clearance (EC) for projects listed in its schedule.

And whereas, the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal, in its order dated 12th February 2020 in Original Application No. 55/2019 (WZ), has observed that Cold Rolled Stainless Steel Manufacturing Industries require prior environmental clearance.

And whereas, the Central Government decided to provide a window period for such re-rolling or cold rolling units to obtain prior Environmental Clearance in line with the above-mentioned order.

And whereas, the matter was referred to an Expert Committee to clarify the activities covered under item 3(a).

The committee, after due deliberation, concluded that secondary metallurgical processing industries that do not involve melting, including rolling/re-rolling, may be exempted from the requirement of EC. These industries have a lower pollution potential compared to other metallurgical activities.

Further, the Expert Committee recommended changes in the threshold levels of metallurgical industries based on their pollution potential. Additionally, the committee recommended explicitly including pelletization plants in the notification schedule.

Based on the committee’s recommendations, the Central Government deems it necessary to amend notification S.O. 1533 (E) dated 14th September 2006 to incorporate these recommendations and bring further clarity.

Now, therefore, in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986), read with clause (d) of sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government hereby makes the following amendments in the said notification, which shall come into force upon its final publication in the Official Gazette.

A. In the Schedule, after item 2(b), the following item shall be inserted:

Ref. No. F.No IA-Z-11013/83/2022-IA-II(IND-I)