Govt mulls creating a National Environment Protection Authority
merisarkar news service.
New Delhi, September 16, 2009
Environment minister Jairam Ramesh on Thursday released a discussion paper regarding a proposal for the creation of a new body National Environment Protection Authority (NEPA).
The Government proposes that it will be an autonomous body manned by professionals. It would perform two functions - grant of environmental clearances and to superwise compliance and enforcement of environmental laws in the country.
The aim of this discussion paper is to initiate a serious exercise for institutional redesign and to invite comment from stakeholders.
The paper puts forth the various models that can be used to structure and position the Environment Protection Authority within the environmental regulatory framework of the country.
This is meant to be an important component of a more effective regime for environmental governance.
The discussion paper puts forth various options for the operationalization of the NEPA. This paper also delineates the options as to how the Central and State Pollution Control Boards could work in harmony and synergy with the new regime.
