New Delhi, Nov 04: Centre today informed the Supreme Court that it has issued a draft notification to amend the environment law to bring highly polluting new projects under the purview of environment impact assessment. A copy of the notification was filed before a bench comprising Justice S Rajendra Babu and Justice G P Mathur which said it would take it into consideration while giving a judgement on an environmental matter. The draft notification, amending the rules under the Environment (Protection) Act filed by ministry of environment and forest said it has proposed to bring under the environment impact assessment notification any new projects relating to construction of new townships, industrial township, settlement colonies, commercial complexes, hotel complexes, hospital and office complexes for thousand persons and above. The proposal said any project discharging sewage of 50,000 litres per day and above or involving investment of Rs 50 crores and above have been brought under the purview of the notification. Government said the draft notification was issued taking in view the continuing pollution of rivers and other water bodies and to control further deterioration of water quality.


The objection to the draft notification issued on October 27 could be filed within 60 days.

Bureau Report