Environment Ministry proposes new bodies for faster green clearances in states

• Environment Ministry proposes creating a separate body to expedite green clearances in states.
• MoEFCC issued a draft notification to establish Standing Authority on Environment Impact Assessment (SAEIA) and Standing Committee on Environment Impact Appraisal (SCEIA) for each state/UT.
• These bodies will evaluate Category B projects (construction, mining, industries) at the state level and provide timely environmental clearances.
• They will operate if current bodies become non-functional, for a maximum of six months, extendable by another six months.
• Applications not appraised by the state committee within 120 days will be forwarded to SCEIA for consideration.