The Union Environment Ministry has released two separate draft notifications on ‘white category’ sectors. According to the notifications, practically non-polluting industries. ‘white category’ by the Central Pollution Control Board will now not require prior permission of the state pollution control boards to establish and operate under the Air Act, 1981 and Water Act, 1974.
- These permissions known officially as ‘consent to establish’ (CTE) and ‘consent to operate’ (CTO) are granted to regulate industries that discharge effluents or emit pollutants into the environment.
- The ministry has also proposed to do away with the CTE permit for “projects/activities” that require prior environmental clearance (EC).
- The CTE is granted by the state pollution control board concerned carrying either standard or specific conditions to be adhered to for complying with pollution norms.
- As per the Water Act, 1974, and Air Act, 1981, the CTE or a NOC is required before the commencement of the construction activities and CTO before starting operation of units like individual establishments from the state pollution control boards concerned.
- Wind and solar power projects, assembly of air coolers, bicycle assembly are some of the projects and activities that come under the white category and are exempted from CTE and CTO permits.
- After recategorisation by CPCB in 2016, industrial sectors with a Pollution Index score including and up to 20 come under the category. The PI of any industrial sector is a number from 0-100
