NEW DELHI: In order to end unnecessary delay in assessing projects for environmental clearances (EC), the Union environment ministry has proposed to set up a central body — Standing Committee on Environment Impact Appraisal (SCEIA) — for each State/UT, which will appraise projects when state-level panels are non-functional. The idea behind the proposal is to ensure continuity in functioning of state-level committees by establishing a separate standing body as an “interim arrangement” for the purpose of appraisal of projects and grant of regulatory environmental clearances. The standing body will function and take a call on green issues only till the constitution of state-level bodies.In many cases, state-level committees remain non-functional due to expiry of their term or on account of other circumstances. This leads to unnecessary delay in assessment of projects.Based on the experience of past years, the ministry had on Mar 5 issued a draft notification in this regard to seek stakeholders’ suggestions. A final decision on setting up a standing body will be taken after processing those suggestions.”In the event the application for grant of EC is not appraised by the concerned State Level Expert Appraisal Committee within a period of 120 days from the date of submission of the complete application by the project proponent, the application shall be automatically forwarded to the SCEIA, through PARIVESH portal, for consideration, which shall appraise such project and provide its recommendations as per the scenarios and within the time frame mentioned,” said the ministry’s draft notification.A day after notifying the draft, the ministry on Mar 6 issued a separate office memorandum (OM) on guidelines to be followed by states while sending proposals for re-constitution of state-level environment impact assessment authorities and expert appraisal committees. It directed the states that the process for finalising proposals for re-constitution of state-level panels may be initiated “well in advance” so that the proposals, complete in all respects, may reach the ministry at least six months prior to expiry of the terms of state bodies.About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’One Phone Call From PM Modi Can End This Issue’: UAE Envoy On Iran-Israel-US WarIndia’s Top Military Commander Says AI Will Decide Future Wars, Admit India Is Taking Baby StepsIran Defies Trump, Chooses Khamenei’s Son As Supreme Leader; U.S Bombs Iran School, Shows New VideoIs India’s Internet Connectivity At Risk With War Threatening Undersea Cables At Strait Of Hormuz?Crude Oil Rally Near 120 Dollars, Raises Big Question If India Can Survive Crisis With Russian OilUS-Iran War Triggers Massive Selloff On Dalal Street, Investors Lose Rs 12 Lakh Crore In Single DayBengal’s Tribal and SC/ST Votes In Spotlight as BJP Ramps Up Outreach Amid President Protocol RowJaishankar Statement On Iran War Sparks Walkout As Opposition Demands Full Debate, BJP Hits BackLok Sabha Arithmetic Takes Center Stage As Opposition Moves No-Confidence Motion On Speaker Om Birla”Never Seen Such Irresponsible Oppn…” Rijiju Hits Out At Oppn Over Uproar In Parliament123Photostories5 really hard things no one told you about long-distance relationshipsGaurav Khanna opens up about his possible return to Anupamaa and addresses questions about his Bigg Boss 19 prize money and car; says, “I’m yet to receive them”How to classic Paneer Kofta Curry for lunch at homeFrom blood diamonds to lab-grown gold: Is the jewellery industry finally evolving?8 traditional ways to enjoy Parwal or Pointed Gourd during summer seasonIndian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah house in Ahmedabad: Spacious living, elegant interiors, serene bedroom and modern gymFrom Sanjana Ganesan to Mahieka Sharma: Meet the wives and girlfriends (WAGs) of 2026 T20 World Cup-winning cricketersFrequent calf cramps while walking: Doctors explain when it may signal circulation problems, not dehydrationSingapore’s costliest real estate streets for wealthy buyers and investors in 2026A bridge for giants: Elephants use Bengaluru’s first wildlife overpass123Hot PicksIran war newsUS Stock Market todayLPG new ruleDelhi-Manchester IndiGo flightIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingHardik PandyaUS Stock Market todayUS Strike on Iran OilBengal assembly electionsBalendra ShahPakistan Fuel shortageRestaurants IT RaidDelhi Uttam Nagar murderGold Price TodayLPG cooking gas
NEW DELHI: In order to end unnecessary delay in assessing projects for environmental clearances (EC), the Union environment ministry has proposed to set up a central body — Standing Committee on Environment Impact Appraisal (SCEIA) — for each State/UT, which will appraise projects when state-level panels are non-functional. The idea behind the proposal is to ensure continuity in functioning of state-level committees by establishing a separate standing body as an “interim arrangement” for the purpose of appraisal of projects and grant of regulatory environmental clearances. The standing body will function and take a call on green issues only till the constitution of state-level bodies.In many cases, state-level committees remain non-functional due to expiry of their term or on account of other circumstances. This leads to unnecessary delay in assessment of projects.Based on the experience of past years, the ministry had on Mar 5 issued a draft notification in this regard to seek stakeholders’ suggestions. A final decision on setting up a standing body will be taken after processing those suggestions.“In the event the application for grant of EC is not appraised by the concerned State Level Expert Appraisal Committee within a period of 120 days from the date of submission of the complete application by the project proponent, the application shall be automatically forwarded to the SCEIA, through PARIVESH portal, for consideration, which shall appraise such project and provide its recommendations as per the scenarios and within the time frame mentioned,” said the ministry’s draft notification.A day after notifying the draft, the ministry on Mar 6 issued a separate office memorandum (OM) on guidelines to be followed by states while sending proposals for re-constitution of state-level environment impact assessment authorities and expert appraisal committees. It directed the states that the process for finalising proposals for re-constitution of state-level panels may be initiated “well in advance” so that the proposals, complete in all respects, may reach the ministry at least six months prior to expiry of the terms of state bodies.