Panel calls for quicker green light on coal mining projects

• A parliamentary panel urged faster green clearances for coal mining projects in both public and private sectors.
• The panel highlighted significant differences in the average time taken for environmental and forest clearances between public and private projects.
• Environmental clearance averages 15-18 months for CPSUs and 26 months for private projects; forest clearance averages 24-30 months for CPSUs and up to 34 months for private.
• The committee sought reasons for these time discrepancies and emphasized the statutory nature of EC and FC for coal mining.
• It recommended exploring a coordination system among stakeholders to expedite the clearance process.

Why It Matters: Expediting green clearances impacts energy projects and environmental oversight.