Faster MPCB nod for industries soon

From June, all industries can apply online for consent.

Taking a cue from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s ‘ease of business’ agenda, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) is set to reduce by half the time it takes to issue consent to set up an industry. From June, industries can apply online for consent, which they will receive in 60 days, down from the current time period of 120 days. This move will help 2,500 industrial consent cases currently pending before the MPCB.

While large-scale industries will get consent within 60 days, that for ‘green’ and ‘small-scale’ industries will come in 30 days. Industries that need consent from regional officers and head offices will get it within 45 days. “With the online system, industries can check the application status. There will be more transparency,” said P Anbalagan, MPCB Member Secretary.

The Chief Minister had earlier said the state government was working on a project to reduce the time taken to start a new business to around three months, by reducing the number of permissions required to 25 from the current 76.

In an attempt to keep a check on polluting industries, MPCB is also starting a project to rate industries in the state on their performance, adherence to compliance and pollution control norms.

Officials will compile each industry’s records over the past three years and categorise them. “Industries with a bad record will be constantly monitored and stricter action will be taken against them,” said P K Mirashe, Assistant Secretary, Technical, MPCB. The board would also install monitoring stations closer to the category of industries found to be flouting norms, officials said.

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Maharashtra Pollution Control Board