(a) whether the Union Government had issued a draft notification to make Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) mandatory for urban projects costing Rs.50 crore or more last year and has sought comments from the States;
(b) if so, the detail thereof;
(c) the response received from various State Governments in this regard; and
(d) the further action taken by the Union Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIORNMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a) and (b) Yes, Sir. Government of India has issued a draft Notification vide S.O. No.1236 (E) on 27th October, 2003 so as to amend Environment Impact Assessment Notification issued on 27th January, 1994 vide No.S.O.60 (E) proposing to bring new projects relating to construction of new townships, industrial townships, settlement colonies, commercial complexes, hotel complexes, hospitals, office complexes for 1,000 persons and above or discharging sewage of 50,000 litres per day and above or with an investment of Rs.50 crores and above and new industrial estates having an area of 50 hectares and above and the industrial estates irrespective of area if their pollution potential is high, within the purview of Environmental Impact Assessment.
(c) and (d) Objections/suggestions received from various State Governments have been examined.