Question : SETTING UP OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AUTHORITY

(a) whether the Government has taken a decision to set up a National Environment Authority and six regional authorities across the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the proposed composition of the National Environment Authority and the regional authorities;

(d) the functions proposed to be assigned to them;

(e) the proposed locations of regional authorities;

(f) the estimated annual expenditure on the National Environment Authority and regional authorities; and

(g) when these authorities are likely to start functioning;

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS ( SHRI T.R. BAALU )

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The Government has decided to setup a National and six Regional Environment Authorities under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

(c): Each Authority will have a Chairman, two Members (an expert each in environment and forestry) and a Secretary. The National Authority, in addition, will also have a Vice Chairman.

(d): These Authorities will perform such functions of the Government pertaining to environment and forestry related matters, as may be delegated to these Authorities from time to time.

(e): The headquartersof the National Authority will be at Delhi and those of Regional Authorities at Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Shillong, Lucknow and Chandigarh respectively.

(f): A tentative annual expenditure of Rs. 3 crores has been estimated for each of the Authorities.

(g): Action has been initiated to fill up the posts as mentioned in part (c) above to make the authorities functional.