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White Category Industries
Context:
Industries classified as “white category industries” may be exempt from prior approvals from state pollution control boards under Air Act of 1981 and Water Act of 1974, as per the draft notification of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
White Category Industries:
- In 2016, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reclassified industries based on their pollution potential.
- The “white category” was introduced during this reclassification, alongside updated scores for the existing categories (red, orange, and green).
- Activities and projects in the “white category” include wind power and solar power projects, assembly of air coolers, and bicycle assembly.
- After re-categorisation by CPCB in 2016, industrial sectors with a Pollution Index (PI) score including and up to 20 come under the White Category.
- PI scores were on the basis of emissions, effluent discharge, generation of hazardous waste, and consumption of natural resources.
- The PI of any industrial sector is a number from 0-100.
Current Requirement:
- The approvals, known as “consent to establish” (CTE) and “consent to operate” (CTO), are typically issued under the Air Act of 1981 and the Water Act of 1974.
- These permits are to regulate industries that discharge effluents or emit pollutants into the environment.
- Proposed Change: Exemption to “white category” industries from obtaining CTE and CTO permits if they receive prior Environmental Clearance (EC) from appropriate authorities.
- CTE compliance conditions will be integrated into the EC conditions.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):
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- It is a statutory organisation constituted in September 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
- Later given powers under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
- It provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Functions:
- Promoting the cleanliness of streams and wells by preventing, controlling, and abating water pollution.
- Improving air quality by preventing, controlling, or abating air pollution.