In order to bring comprehensive policy for inspection, verification and monitoring in the forest clearance procedure, the Environment Ministry has kicked off a fast-track review of the cumbersome procedures involving green clearances that often take years. Now, the ministry has sought for India Inc's views on its revised draft policy to grant of forest clearance. Presently, the forest clearance procedures are considered by industry as the single-biggest drag on India's investment momentum and stalling projects.
The ministry has proposed several changes in draft such as third party monitoring by accredited institutions and forest administration, self-monitoring by project developers and a structure for a transparent, effective and unbiased system to deal with violations of clearance conditions.
Meanwhile, the government is hopeful of putting in place a simplified forest clearance system before its term ends in a few months. The new environment and forest minister Veerappa Moily has approved several long-stalled investments during the past three weeks in order to ensure more predictability for prospective investors. Furthermore, the Cabinet panel headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has recently cleared investment projects of over Rs 6 lakh crore. Now the cabinet panel is shifting its focus to its other key area including a review of ministries' procedures to grant and refuse projects’ approvals and setting a framework for accelerating these decisions to boost the investment and economic growth.