Gujarat SPCB specifies procedure to be followed by Project Proponents during processing of Environmental clearance proposal

Pursuant to the update reported earlier (reference to mail in trail), the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (“GPCB”), has specified the procedure to be followed for ensuring uniformity, transparency, and expeditious processing of environmental clearance (“EC”) proposal. It is effective immediately.

Background:

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (“MOEFCC”) had issued office memorandums prescribing the procedure for obtaining comments from the State Pollution Control Boards (“SPCBs”) through the Parivesh 2.0 Portal. MOEFCC has exempted Project Proponents from obtaining Consent to Establish (“CTE”) from the SPCB prior to grant of EC, subject to obtaining the necessary EC. The conditions that would ordinarily form part of the CTE, wherever applicable, will be incorporated in the Environment Clearance itself. The Office Memorandums also prescribe the procedure for obtaining comments from the SPCB, payment of the prescribed processing fee, timelines for submission of comments, and other related requirements.

The procedure to be followed by project proponents for processing of EC proposals are as follows:

1. Upon receipt of Terms of Reference or an application for environmental clearance (“EC”),  GPCB must generate a demand Note on the Parivesh Portal. Upon generation of the demand note, the project proponent must submit an online application on GPCB XGN portal under the “EC to CTE” module.
   • Where the Project Proponent already has an existing PCB ID for the same plot of land, it shall be mandatory to use the existing PCB ID and submit an “EC to CTE Amendment” application.
   • In case of a fresh project, or where no PCB ID exists for the proposed project site, the Project Proponent shall first create a new PCB ID through the IFP Portal, Government of Gujarat, and thereafter submit an “EC to CTE” application.
2. The project proponent must pay at least the amount specified in the Demand Note online through the payment gateway available on the GPCB XGN Portal.
3. Upon successful payment of the processing fee, the project proponent must upload the payment receipt generated through the XGN Portal against the corresponding Demand Note on the Parivesh Portal.
4. GPCB must verify the payment receipt and acknowledge the payment on the Parivesh Portal.
5. After due verification, GPCB must upload the comments received from the concerned Regional Officer on the PARIVESH Portal and forward the proposal to the concerned EAC/SEAC in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

Source: Gujarat Pollution Control Board