The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) launched a star-rating system
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Star-Rating System Introduction: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) launched a star-rating system in January 2022 to evaluate State Environmental Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs) based on their efficiency in granting environmental clearances.
Rating Scale & Purpose: Ratings ranged from 0 to 7, incentivizing faster approvals and adherence to timelines. The objective was to promote ease of doing business while maintaining environmental standards.
Opposition and Concerns: The system faced opposition, particularly from the Tamil Nadu Fishermen’s Association, who feared it would compromise the thoroughness of environmental impact assessments. They worried about weakened safeguards and negative impacts on local ecosystems.
Legal Challenge & NGT Intervention: The fishermen’s association challenged the system, leading to intervention by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Withdrawal of the System: The MoEF&CC withdrew the original Office Memorandum (OM) following the NGT’s order, effectively abandoning the star-rating system. The NGT order noted the ministry had “given up” on the system.
Future Outlook: The ministry may develop a revised memorandum with new criteria at a later date, according to counsel.
Key reason for the withdrawal: The primary driver for the withdrawal was the legal challenge coupled with concerns that faster clearances could weaken environmental protections.
