Green norms relaxed for upcoming industrial units in Gurgaon

In a bid to attract more industries, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has relaxed the green norms for upcoming units across the state.

In a bid to attract more industries, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has relaxed the green norms for upcoming units across the state.

The new ‘industry-friendly inspection policy’ introduced for checking the compliance of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 has done away with inspection of units by local HSPCB inspectors and instead introduced a system of self-certification before establishing units. (AFP/Representative Photo)

The board has amended the rules for inspection of industries for checking the compliance of environment norms — a move aimed at avoiding alleged harassment by the local pollution board officials in the name of inspection - before issuing the mandatory consent to establish (CTE) to the units.

The new ‘industry-friendly inspection policy’ introduced for checking the compliance of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 has done away with inspection of units by local HSPCB inspectors and instead introduced a system of self-certification before establishing units.

“No inspection is required for the purpose of dealing the cases of CTE unless violation comes to the notice of the board as per the new policy,” said Bhupender Singh, regional officer, HSPCB, Gurgaon.

The policy further says that self-certification for compliance of prescribed environment norms will be considered sufficient to establish units after submission of application and consent fee.

Besides, in case of inspections only officers from outside the district after an approval by the chairman of the board, can visit the units. Also, a computerised system will be designed for allotment of inspectors.

“The same inspecting officer of the board will not inspect the same unit twice consecutively,” Singh added.

The move is being seen as an effort to check alleged harassment of new industrial units by local pollution board inspectors.

The policy has also introduced a new provision of auto renewal of CTE and CTO (consent to operate) which also will be done through self-certification.

Among other changes, the industrial units can now get their effluent samples tested at private laboratories. Formerly, the tests were conducted only at HSPCB labs. The board has authorised 10 private laboratories approved by the Union environment ministry for the purpose.