NEW DELHI: As a final step of consultations before bringing amendments in existing green laws, the Centre has called a meeting of chief ministers and environment ministers of states on April 6-7 to brainstorm on proposed changes which may sync new legislation with the Centre's economic growth agenda.
The two-day meeting will be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi where he is expected to ask states to move on the path of 'Zero Defect, Zero Effect' mode of development so that India can manufacture best quality (zero defect) products without adversely affecting the environment (zero effect).
"States have been asked to present their views on proposed amendments and also on setting up state-level environment monitoring authorities to take care of implementation of various projects in an eco-friendly manner", said an official.
Union environment and forests minister Prakash Javadekar had last week told Parliament about the meeting with states which, he said, would be the "last step" before bringing amendments in existing green laws.
A draft green law, prepared by a technical consultant, and key recommendations of the T S R Subramanian panel have been circulated among states for their views.
The environment ministry will prepare its final draft green law after the chief ministers meeting. A bill in this regard may be introduced in the second half of the budget session of Parliament which is to be re-convened on April 20 after a month-long break.
Officials in environment ministry hinted that the government may be in favour of an umbrella environmental law which will subsume the existing legislations and set up central and state-level environment management authorities after taking states' views.
The new law or amended legislation is most likely to have provisions of civil penalties (both civil administrative and civil judicial penalties) along with criminal penalties for violation of environmental laws.
Besides, the Centre will also push for a "single integrated system" for pollution control as the present set up is not structured to make a coordinated attack on pollutants which pollute air, water, and land.
"Representatives from different central ministries like transport, railways, coal and mines, water resources and tribal affairs will also attend the meeting as it requires an inter-ministerial approach to deal with air and water pollution", said an official.
Stringent measures and multi-pronged approach to deal with air pollution, environmental mapping of the country, definite timeframe for cities to dispose off their municipal solid waste and incorporation of noise pollution as an offence in the Environment Protection Act are some of the key suggestions which will be on the discussion table in separate sessions during the two-day meet.
