Javadekar says concerns over EIA are unfounded

Ramesh, a former environment minister, is the chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on science and technology, environment, forests and climate change.

Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday said concerns raised by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on the draft environment impact assessment notification 2020 were “unfounded” and based on “misrepresentation”.

Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar. (Vipin Kumar / Hindustan Times)

Ramesh, a former environment minister, is the chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on science and technology, environment, forests and climate change.

In a letter to Ramesh, Javadekar said, “Your observations are noted. There are 15 more days for suggestions. I will reply to you in detail. Government will finalise after considering various suggestions. Government decisions are always open for scrutiny...”

Ramesh, in a letter dated July 25, said he wished to record his strongest objections to draft EIA 2020 notification on grounds that “it allows for post facto approvals which go against the very principle of assessment; It reduces public participation in all steps of environment clearance process; it does away with environment impact assessment altogether in many cases of expansion; increases validity of environmental clearances allowing projects to secure land for longer durations and it gives union government full powers to appoint state environment impact assessment authorities.”