NEW DELHI, JUNE 13
In a major move aimed at easing out the supply of sand and gravel in the state, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) today gave clearance for 39 A category mines in Punjab.
This decision was taken during a meeting between the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and Union Environment Minister Mr. Prakash Javadekar here at Shastri Bhawan, on Thursday late evening.
Taking part in deliberations, Mr. Javadekar apprised the Chief Minister that in respect to 26 minor mineral projects which have been recommended by Expert Appraisal Committee of MoEF comfort (consent) letter would be given to the state government conveying their environment clearances and the state government would give the name of project proponents. Likewise, he informed that in other 13 cases pending with MoEF early meeting of Expert Appraisal Committee shall be convened to appraise these projects and subsequently the comfort letters would be given accordingly.
Flagging up another issue related to water cess, the Chief Minister apprised Mr. Javadekar that as per section 8 of the water cess Act 1977, the proceeds levied under section 3 were to be first credited to the Consolidated fund of India, of which 80% was reimbursed to the respective state Boards for their utilization in various activities but this reimbursement takes a long time thereby hampering the functioning of the state boards. Henceforth, he urged the Union Minister that the state boards may be allowed to retain 80% of the water cess share and balance 20% should be sent to MoEF. Regarding increase in rate of water cess, the Chief Minister mentioned that the rates of water cess have not been revised since May, 2003 which were ought to be increased to strengthen the financial position of the state boards.
Responding to this issue Mr. Javadekar decided to make necessary amendments in this regard and instructed the officers to initiate the process at once to allow the states to retain 80% of water cess share. Regarding release of Rs 19.90 crores to PPCB which constituted to 80% of the water cess for the period January 2013- March 2014, the Union Minister assured that the said amount would be released immediately after the receipt of Utilization Certificates. Mr. Javadekar also gave his nod to enhance the rate of water cess after seeking comments from all state boards.
Referring to the cleaning of Budha Nullah, which runs across a stretch of 17 kilometres in the Ludhiana city and was part of river Satluj rejuvenation plan, the Chief Minister told Mr. Javadekar that a bio-remediation project was sanctioned by MoEF in April 2012 at a cost of Rs 15.28 crore for construction of five green bridges adding that under this project three green bridges have been completed and remaining two would be completed after reimbursement of funds of Rs 4. 65 crore to the executing agency, to which the Union Minister gave his consent and asked the concerned authorities to ensure its prompt release to enable the state board to carry out construction works prior to the onset of monsoon.
The Chief Minister also apprised that Mandi Gobindgarh and Khanna have been declared as critically polluted areas as such there was need to switch over to green fuel (RLNG) by the rolling mills of these towns. But the cost difference between coal and RLNG was much so these industries need to be incentivized in the form of Income Tax exemption, higher rates of depreciation, interest free loans and subsidies at 25% of the total cost project.
Raising the issue of reducing the radius of Eco sensitive zone limit of 10 kilometre radius to 100 metres with respect to 13 wildlife sanctuaries in the state, the Chief Minister impressed upon Mr. Javadekar to sympathetically consider this genuine problem in view of heavy population and limited area of the state because it was hampering the development activities in Punjab.
The Union Minister assured Mr. Badal that the MoEF would soon take a call on this vital issue to reduce the radius of Eco sensitive zone limit which would facilitate the state government to undertake its development activities.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Principal Secretary Mr. SK Sandhu, Financial Commissioner Forest Mr. Viswajeet Khanna, Secretary Science Technology and Environment Mrs. Seema Jain, Chairman Punjab Pollution Control Board Mr. Ravinder Singh and Member Secretary PPCB Mr. Babu Ram.
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