The Union Environment and Forest Ministry’s order exempting projects or units situated in the government-notified industrial parks prior to EIA notification from ‘public consultation’ for expansion purposes, has been challenged in the Madras High Court. The EIA notification was issued on September 14, 2006.
Submitted petition
The petitioner, D.A. Prabakar, an advocate, and secretary of Tirunelveli District Consumer Protection Association, submitted that he filed a petition earlier seeking a public consultation to express their views on the expansion of a cool drinks unit in the SIPCOT industrial park in Tirunelveli district. The court directed authorities to dispose of his representation within two months. A reply was given, but plea for public consultation was rejected.
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In the meantime, the Centre issued a notification, dated December 10, 2014, which said those factories which were situated in the government-notified industrial parks prior to September 14, 2006 would be henceforth exempted from public consultation.
Mr. Prabakar, who was also the Chairman of the Federation of Consumer Organisations of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, submitted that if the Centre’s order was accepted, the highly polluting industries in the government-notified industrial parks which commenced operation prior to September 14, 2006, while expanding, would not adhere to the EIA norms and regulations. Hence, the present petition.
By an interim order, the First Bench said any action taken by the authorities would be subject to the final outcome of the writ petition.
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