(a) whether the Government proposes to transfer the jurisdiction of environmental clearances of
Category ‘B’ projects in critically polluted areas to respective State Level Expert Appraisal Committee/
State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SLEAC/SEIAA);
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) No, Sir.
(b) Does not arise in view of reply to (a) above.
(c) & (d) As per the General Condition under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, any project
or activity specified in Category ‘B’ will be treated as Category ‘A’, if located in whole or in part within 10 km. from
the boundary of critically polluted areas as notified by the Central Pollution Control Board from time to time. This
is with a view to ensuring higher level of scrutiny of such projects. Further, there are restrictions for consideration
of projects in critically polluted areas which are under the moratorium.