CPCB introduces ‘white’ industries, exempts them from environmental clearance

New Delhi, Mar 5 (KNN) The ministry of environment published a new categorisation of industries based on their pollution level. The categorisation was done in order to meet the Centre's environmental goal to improve 'ease of doing business' in India.

Along with three existing categories- red , green and orange, a new category named white has been introduced which includes 36 types of non-polluting industries which will not require environment clearance for their operation. These industries consist of Bio-fertilizers, Bio-pesticide, organic manure, wind power and mini-hydel of less than 25 megawatt of capacities.

Declaring the renewed categorisation , Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar said, "The new category of white industries, which is practically non-polluting, will not require environmental clearance (EC) and consent. The exercise of re-categorization was being carried out for last one year. This is a landmark decision to give a fair picture of the industries".

The new classification done by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on the basis of pollution index criteria and environmental issues such as generation of emission, effluent and hazardous waste has classified 242 industries under four categories.

"Re-categorization of industries based on their pollution load is a scientific exercise. The old system of categorization was creating problems for many industries and was not reflecting the pollution of the industries. The new categories will remove this lacuna and will give clear picture to everyone” Javedkar said. "Twenty-five industrial sectors, which were not critically polluting were also earlier categorized as Red. This was creating wrong impression to everyone." (KNN Bureau)