## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a recent amendment to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, as published in the Gazette of India on April 20, 2022. The core purpose of this amendment is to further decentralize the Environmental Clearance (EC) process by adjusting project categorization and appraisal responsibilities between the Central and State levels. Key changes include revising thresholds for mining projects, power plants, and specifying the appraisal level for certain projects based on their nature and strategic importance. This analysis focuses on the specific changes introduced by this amendment and their likely implications.
**2. Introduction:**
This report aims to provide a clear and informative overview of the amendment to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, based solely on the provided government policy text. It details the key changes introduced by the amendment, their potential impact, and implications for affected stakeholders.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* **Original Policy:** Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 (S.O. 1533 E, dated the 14th September, 2006).
* **Core Objective(s):** The original EIA Notification, 2006 aimed to mandate prior environmental clearance for certain categories of projects. The amendments are, based on the text, intended to further decentralize the EC process and to address national security concerns.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
This amendment appears to address the need for further decentralization of the EC process, likely to expedite clearances at the State level. The text highlights that State Environment Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs) have gained substantial experience and implemented online systems, making decentralization more feasible. Simultaneously, the amendment addresses concerns related to national security by centralizing the appraisal of category B projects with national defense or strategic importance. The amendment also addresses issues pertaining to project delays and promoting environmentally friendly activities.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
The amendment introduces several changes to the EIA Notification, 2006, specifically affecting project categorization and appraisal responsibilities. These changes include:
* **Change 1:** Paragraph 4, subparagraph iii a is substituted to stipulate that Category B projects relating to national defense, strategic, security importance, or those notified by the Central Government due to exigencies or to promote environmentally friendly activities or those inordinately delayed shall be considered at the Central level.
* **Effect:** This centralizes the appraisal of strategically important projects, potentially streamlining their approval process while ensuring national security concerns are addressed. It also provides a mechanism to address project delays and environmental concerns under national schemes.
* **Change 2:** Item 1a (Mining Projects) thresholds in column 3 are revised.
* The threshold for major mineral mining leases (other than coal) requiring Category A environmental clearance is increased from 100 ha to 250 ha.
* The threshold for category B for mining leases is increased from 150 ha to 500 ha.
* **Effect:** This change potentially shifts some mining projects from requiring central clearance (Category A) to state clearance (Category B), potentially speeding up the environmental clearance process.
* **Change 3:** Item 1a (Mining Projects) thresholds in column 4 are revised.
* Projects of all mining lease area in respect of minor mineral mining leases will be assessed by state.
* The threshold for major mineral mining leases (other than coal) requiring Category A environmental clearance is increased from 100 ha to 250 ha.
* The threshold for category B for mining leases is increased from 150 ha to 500 ha.
* **Effect:** This change potentially shifts some mining projects from requiring central clearance (Category A) to state clearance (Category B), potentially speeding up the environmental clearance process.
* **Change 4:** Item 1c (Thermal Power Plants) thresholds are revised.
* The threshold for projects requiring Category A environmental clearance is increased from 50 MW to 100 MW.
* **Effect:** This change potentially shifts some power plant projects from requiring central clearance (Category A) to state clearance (Category B), potentially expediting the environmental clearance process.
* **Change 5:** Item 1c: Serial number ii and entries related thereto are omitted.
* **Effect:** There is no way to tell based on the provided information.
* **Change 6:** Item 1c: In column 5, a new serial number iii is added.
* Irrigation projects involving Interstate issues shall be appraised at Central level without change in category.
* **Effect:** All irrigation projects involving interstate issues must be approved by the Central Government.
* **Change 7:** Item 1d (River Valley Projects) thresholds are revised.
* The threshold for projects requiring Category A environmental clearance is increased from 50 MW to 100 MW.
* **Effect:** This change potentially shifts some river valley projects from requiring central clearance (Category A) to state clearance (Category B), potentially expediting the environmental clearance process.
* **Change 8:** Item 2a (Coal Mining Projects) thresholds are revised.
* The figures are increased from 1 to 2.5.
* **Effect:** There is no way to tell based on the provided information.
* **Change 9:** Item 2a: A new paragraph is inserted into column 5.
* Integrated coal mining projects with washeries located within mining lease area shall continue to be considered at Central level or State level, as the case may be, as per the extant threshold for coal mining projects.
* **Effect:** The categorization of integrated projects is continued as before.
* **Change 10:** Item 2b (Mineral Beneficiation) thresholds are revised.
* The throughput of 0.5 million TPA is replaced with "All mineral beneficiation projects irrespective of the procedure for beneficiation".
* **Effect:** All mineral beneficiation projects will be considered now, regardless of throughput.
* **Change 11:** Item 2b: A new paragraph is inserted into column 5.
* Integrated mining projects with beneficiation plants located within mining lease area shall continue to be considered at Central level or State level, as the case may be, as per the extant threshold for mining projects.
* **Effect:** The categorization of integrated projects is continued as before.
* **Change 12:** Item 7a (Building and Construction Projects) thresholds are revised.
* The words "All projects" are replaced with "All new projects".
* **Effect:** Only new projects will be included in the project scope.
* **Change 13:** Item 7a: A new paragraph is inserted into column 4.
* All expansions projects, including airstrips, which are for commercial use.
* **Effect:** Only expansions for commercial use will be considered.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
Based on the provided text, the primary stakeholders directly affected by these amendments include:
* Mining companies (particularly those involved in major mineral mining)
* Thermal power plant developers
* River valley project developers
* Mineral beneficiation project developers
* Building and construction project developers
* State Environment Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs)
* Central Government (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change)
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible agency/bodies:** The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the State Environment Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs) are the key bodies responsible for implementing these changes.
* **Timelines/procedures:** The amendment refers to the EIA Notification, 2006, and its established procedures. Projects affected by the changes will need to adhere to the revised categorization and appraisal pathways.
* The amendment relies on the existing PARIVESH portal for online disposal of EC proposals.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcomes of these changes include:
* **Faster Environmental Clearances:** Decentralizing the EC process for certain categories of projects could lead to faster environmental clearances at the state level, potentially boosting economic development.
* **Increased State Autonomy:** Empowering SEIAAs with greater authority in appraising certain projects can lead to more localized and context-specific environmental management.
* **Streamlined Appraisal for Strategic Projects:** Centralizing the appraisal of projects with national security or strategic importance ensures a more coordinated and potentially faster approval process, potentially leading to enhanced national security.
* **More Efficient Use of Resources:** By adjusting the workload distribution between central and state authorities, the amendment could lead to a more efficient allocation of resources and expertise.
**9. Conclusion:**
The amendment to the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, represents a significant adjustment in the EC process, reflecting the evolving experience and priorities of the Central Government and SEIAAs. By adjusting project categorization and appraisal responsibilities, the amendment seeks to strike a balance between decentralization for efficiency, centralization for strategic projects, and addressing national security concerns. The changes are likely to impact project developers, environmental agencies, and the overall pace of development in various sectors.
Key Entities Referenced
NEW DELHI: Capital of India, place of publication of the gazette notification.
Environment Protection Act, 1986: Indian environmental legislation under which the notification is issued.
Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006: Notification mandating prior environmental clearance for certain categories of projects, amended by this document. Also referred to as EIA Notification, 2006.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental policy.
State Environment Impact Assessment Authorities: State-level authorities (SEIAAs) constituted for implementation of the EIA Notification, 2006.
PARIVESH portal: Online portal for efficient and transparent disposal of Environmental Clearance proposals.
Category B projects: Category of projects that are appraised at the State level.
Environment Protection Rules, 1986: Rules related to the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
National defence: A sector whose projects are being appraised.
National Programmes: initiative to promote environmentally friendly activities
National Schemes: initiative to promote environmentally friendly activities
National Missions: initiative to promote environmentally friendly activities
Dr. SUJIT KUMAR BAJPAYEE: Jt. Secy. at Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
रजजस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
xxxGIDHxxx
सी.जी.-डी.एलxx.x-GअID.-E2x0xx0 42022-235241
CG-DL-E-20042022-235241
ऄसाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण्ड 3—ईप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 1795] नइ ददल्ली, बधु वार, ऄप्रलै 20, 2022/चत्रै 30, 1944
No. 1795] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022/CHAITRA 30, 1944
पयावा रण, वन और जलवाय ुपररवतना मत्रं ालय
ऄजधसचू ना
नइ ददल्ली, 20 ऄप्रलै , 2022
का.अ. 1886(ऄ).—केंद्रीय सरकार पयाावरण और वन जवभाग के पूवावती मंत्रालय म ें पयाावरण (संरक्षण)
ऄजधजनयम, 1986 की धारा (3) की ईप-धारा (1) और ईप-धारा (2) के खडं (v) के ऄधीन प्रदत्त िजियों का प्रयोग करत े
हुए, पयाावरण समाघात जनधाारण ऄजधसूचना, 2006 (जजसे आसम ें आसके पश्चात इअइए ऄजधसूचना, 2006 कहा गया ह)ै ,
पररयोजनाओं की कजतपय प्रवगा के जलए पूव ा पयाावरणीय मंजरू ी अज्ञापक बनान े के जलए, संख्या का.अ.1533(ऄ), तारीख
14 जसतंबर, 2006 द्वारा प्रकाजित की ह।ै
और राज्य पयाावरण समाघात जनधाारण प्राजधकरण (एसइअइएए) का गठन प्रवग ा ख के ऄधीन सभी प्रस्ट्तावों के
जलए पयाावरण मंजूरी (इसी) पर जवचार और ऄनुदान के जलए प्रत्यायोजजत िजियों का प्रयोग करन े हते ु राज्य स्ट्तर पर
इअइए ऄजधसूचना, 2006 के कायाान्वयन के जलए पयाावरण (संरक्षण) ऄजधजनयम, 1986 की धारा 3 की ईप-धारा (3) के
ऄधीन दकया गया ह;ै
और राज्य पयाावरण समाघात जनधाारण प्राजधकरण न े पयाावरण मंजूरी मल्ू यांकन प्रदिया म ें जपछल े पंद्रह वर्षों म ें
पयााप्त ऄनुभव प्राप्त दकया ह ै और राज्य स्ट्तर पर पयाावरण मंजरू ी प्रस्ट्तावों के कुिल और पारदिी जनपटान के जलए पररवेि
पोटाल के माध्यम स ेपूरी तरह से ऑनलाआन कर ददया गया ह;ै
और केंद्रीय सरकार राज्य स्ट्तर पर मंजूरी की प्रसुजवधा के जलए पयाावरण मंजूरी प्रदिया को और जवकेंद्रीकृत करना
अवश्यक समझती ह;ै
और अज की तारीख म,ें सुरक्षा भागीदारी के महत्वपूणा तत्वों के साथ राष्ट्रीय रक्षा और सामररक महत्व से
संबंजधत प्रवगा ख की पररयोजनाओं का राज्य स्ट्तर पर भी मूल्यांकन दकया जा रहा ह,ै जजसे केंद्रीय सरकार राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा
चचताओं को ध्यान म ेंरखत े हुए केंद्रीय रूप स ेमूल्यांकन करना अवश्यक समझती ह;ै
2770 GI/2022 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
ऄतः ऄब, केंद्रीय सरकार, पयाावरण (सरं क्षण) जनयम, 1986 के जनयम 5 के ईप-जनयम (4) के साथ परठत
पयाावरण (संरक्षण) ऄजधजनयम, 1986 (1986 का 29) की धारा 3 की ईप-धारा (1) और ईप-धारा (2) के खंड (v) द्वारा
प्रदत्त िजियों का प्रयोग करते हुए ईि जनयमों के जनयम 5 के ईप-जनयम (3) के खंड (क) के ऄधीन नोरटस की ऄपेक्षा को
समाप्त करने के पश्चात, लोकजहत म ें भारत सरकार की तत्कालीन पयाावरण एव ं वन मत्रं ालय की ऄजधसूचना संख्यांक
का.अ. 1533(ऄ), तारीख 14 जसतम्बर, 2006,की ऄजधसूचना म ें जनम्नजलजखत और संिोधन करती ह ैऄथाात:्-
ईि ऄजधसूचना म-ें
(1) पैरा 4 म,ें ईप-पैरा (iii क) के स्ट्थान पर, जनम्नजलजखत रखा जाएगा, ऄथाात:् -
(iii क) राष्ट्रीय रक्षा या सामररक या सुरक्षा महत्व स ेसंबंजधत ह ैंया जजन्ह ेंकेंद्रीय सरकार द्वारा संकटकाल जैस ेमहामारी,
प्राकृजतक अपदाओं जैसी ऄत्यावश्यकताओं के कारण ऐसी प्रवगा 'ख' पररयोजनाओं को ऄजधसजूचत दकया गया ह ैया राष्ट्रीय
कायािमों या स्ट्कीमों या जमिन या ऐसी पररयोजनाओं के ऄधीन पयाावरण के ऄनुकूल दियाकलापों का संवधान करन ेके
जलए जो आस ऄजधसूचना म ेंयथा ऄजधकजथत समय-सीमा स ेऄजधक जवलंजबत ह ैंऔर समय-समय पर आस संबंध म ेंयथा-
ऄजधकजथत मानदंडों को पूरा करती ह,ैं ईन्ह ेंकेंद्रीय स्ट्तर पर प्रवगा 'ख' पररयोजनाओं के रूप म ेंजवचार दकया जाएगा;
(2) ऄनुसूची म,ें -
(i) मद 1(क) के सामन,े -
(क) स्ट्तंभ (3) म,ें -
(क) गैर-कोयला खनन पट्टे के संबंध म ें "> 100 हक्े टेयर खनन पट्टा क्षत्रे " के स्ट्थान पर, जनम्नजलजखत रखा जाएगा,
ऄथाात:् -
"कोयल े के ऄलावा ऄन्य प्रमुख खजनज खनन पट्टे के संबंध में >250 हक्े टेयर खनन पट्टा क्षत्रे ";
(ख) ">150 हक्े टेयर" प्रतीक, ऄंक और ऄक्षर के स्ट्थान पर, "> 500 हक्े टेयर" प्रतीक, अंकडे और ऄक्षर रखे जाएंग;े
(ख) स्ट्तंभ (4) म,ें -
(क) गैर-कोयला खनन के संबधं म ें<100 हक्े टेयर खनन पट्टा क्षत्रे के स्ट्थान पर,
पट्टा", जनम्नजलजखत रखा जाएगा, ऄथाात्: -
"लघु खजनज खनन पट्टों के संबंध म ेंसभी खनन पट्टा क्षत्रे और कोयले के ऄलावा ऄन्य प्रमखु खजनज खनन पट्टे के
संबंध म ें<250 हक्ेटेयर खनन पट्टा क्षत्रे ";
(ख) "<150 हक्े टेयर" के प्रतीकों, ऄंकों और ऄक्षरों के स्ट्थान पर "<500 हक्े टेयर" के प्रतीक, ऄंक और ऄक्षर रख े
जाएंगे;
(ii) मद 1(ग) के सामन,े -
(क) स्ट्तंभ (3) म,ें -
(क) िम संख्या (i) म,ें "> 50 मेगावाट, प्रतीकों, ऄंकों और ऄक्षरों के स्ट्थान पर "> 100 मेगावाट "प्रतीक, अंकड े
और ऄक्षर रखे जाएगं ;े
(ख) िम संख्या (ii) और ईससे संबंजधत प्रजवजियों का लोप दकया जाएगा;
(ख) स्ट्तंभ (4) म,ें -
(क) िम संख्या (i) म,ें "<50 मेगावाट' प्रतीक, ऄंक और ऄक्षर के स्ट्थान पर, "<100 मेगावाट' प्रतीक, अंकडे और ऄक्षर
रखे जाएंग;े
(ख) िम संख्या (ii) म,ें -
(I) "और <50,000 हक्े टेयर" िब्द, प्रतीक और ऄंक का लोप दकया जाएगा;
(II) चबद ु(ग) म ें सारणी म,ें "स े <50,000" िब्द, प्रतीक और ऄंक का लोप दकया जाएगा; ।[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का राजपत्र : ऄसाधारण 3
(ग) स्ट्तंभ (5) म,ें िम संख्या (ii) के पश्चात, जनम्नजलजखत िम संख्या ऄंत:स्ट्थाजपत दकया जाएगा, ऄथाता ् :-
"(iii) ऄंतर-राज्यीय मुद्दों स ेसबंंजधत चसचाइ पररयोजनाओं का मूल्यांकन केंद्रीय स्ट्तर पर श्रणे ी म ेंपररवतना के जबना दकया
जाएगा।";
(iii) मद 1(घ) के सामन,े-
(क) स्ट्तंभ (3) म,ें "> 50 मगे ावाट" प्रतीकों, ऄंकों और ऄक्षरों के स्ट्थान पर, "> 100 मगे ावाट" प्रतीकों, ऄंकों और ऄक्षरों
को रखा जाएगा;
(ख) स्ट्तंभ (4) म,ें "<50 मेगावाट' प्रतीक, ऄंक और ऄक्षर के स्ट्थान पर, "<100 मेगावाट" प्रतीक, अंकडे और ऄक्षर रख े
जाएंगे;
(iv) मद 2(क) के सामन,े -
(क) स्ट्तंभ (3) म,ें ">1" प्रतीकों और ऄंक के स्ट्थान पर, ">2.5 "प्रतीकों और ऄंक को रखा जाएगा;
(ख) स्ट्तंभ (4) म,ें "<1" प्रतीकों और ऄंक के स्ट्थान पर, "< 2.5" प्रतीक और ऄंक रखे जाएंग;े
(ग) स्ट्तंभ (5) म,ेंजवद्यमान परै ा के पश्चात, जनम्नजलजखत पैरा ऄतं :स्ट्थाजपत दकया जाएगा, ऄथाता ्: -
"खनन पट्टा क्षत्रे के भीतर जस्ट्थत धलु ाइ मिीनों के साथ एकीकृत कोयला खनन पररयोजनाओं को कोयला खनन
पररयोजनाओं के जलए जवद्यमान सीमा के ऄनुसार केंद्रीय स्ट्तर या राज्य स्ट्तर पर, यथाजस्ट्थजत, जवचार दकया जाना
जारी रहगेा।";
(v) मद 2 (ख) के सामन,े -
(क) स्ट्तंभ (3) म,ेंजवद्यमान प्रजवजियों का लोप दकया जाएगा;
(ख) स्ट्तंभ (4) म,ें "<0.5 जमजलयन टीपीए का ईत्पादन" प्रतीक, ऄंक, िब्द और ऄक्षर के स्ट्थान पर, "सभी खजनज
पररष्करण पररयोजना, पररष्करण की प्रदिया पर ध्यान ददए जबना" िब्द रख े जाएंग;े
(ग) स्ट्तंभ (5) म,ेंजवद्यमान परै ा के पश्चात, जनम्नजलजखत पैरा रखा जाएगा,
ऄथाात:् -
"भीतर जस्ट्थत लाभकारी संयंत्रों के साथ एकीकृत खनन पररयोजनाएं खनन पट्टा क्षत्रे पर केन्द्रीय स्ट्तर पर जवचार
दकया जाता रहगे ा या यथाजस्ट्थजत, राज्य स्ट्तर, खनन पररयोजनाओं के जलए जवद्यमान सीमा के ऄनुसार।";
(vi) मद 7 (क) के सामन,े-
(क) स्ट्तंभ (3) म,ें "सभी पररयोजनाओं" िब्दों के स्ट्थान पर "सभी नइ पररयोजनाएं" िब्द रखे जाएंग;े
(ख) स्ट्तंभ (4) म,ें जनम्नजलजखत ऄतं :स्ट्थाजपत दकया जाएगा, ऄथाात:् -
"सभी जवस्ट्तार पररयोजनाएं, जजनम ें हवाइ परट्टयां भी सजम्मजलत ह,ैं जो वाजणजज्यक ईपयोग के जलए ह।ैं "
[फा. स.ं अइए 3-22/10/2022-अइए. III]
डॉ. सुजीत कुमार बाजपेयी, संयुि सजचव
रटप्पण : मूल ऄजधसूचना भारत के राजपत्र, ऄसाधारण, भाग II, खंड III, ईप-खंड (ii), संख्या का.अ. 1533(ऄ), तारीख
14 जसतंबर, 2006 द्वारा प्रकाजित की गइ थी और ऄजधसूचना संख्या का.अ. 1807(ऄ), तारीख 12 ऄप्रलै ,
2022 द्वारा ऄंजतम संिोधन दकया गया था ।4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 20th April, 2022
S.O. 1886(E).—WHEREAS, the Central Government in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment
and Forests, in exercise of its powers under sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section (2) of section (3)
of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 has published the Environment Impact Assessment Notification,
2006 (hereinafter referred to as the EIA Notification, 2006), vide number S.O.1533 (E), dated the 14th
September, 2006 for mandating prior environmental clearance for certain category of projects;
And whereas, the State Environment Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs) have been
constituted under sub-section (3) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for
implementation of the EIA Notification, 2006 at State level for exercising delegated powers to consider and
grant Environmental Clearance (EC) for all proposals under Category B;
And whereas, the SEIAAs have gained substantial experience over the past fifteen years in the EC
appraisal process and the process at the State level has also been made completely online through the
PARIVESH portal for efficient and transparent disposal of EC proposals;
And whereas, the Central Government deems it necessary to further decentralise the EC process for
facilitating clearances at State level;
And whereas, as on date, category ‗B‘ projects, relating to national defence and strategic
importance with significant element of security involvement are also being appraised at the State level
which, the Central Government deems it necessary to be appraised centrally taking into account national
security concerns;
Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section
(2) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986),read with sub-rule(4) of rule 5 of
the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government, after having dispensed with the
requirement of notice under clause (a) of sub-rule (3) of rule 5 of the said rules, in public interest, hereby
makes the following further amendments in the notification of the Government of India, in the erstwhile
Ministry of Environment and Forests, number S.O. 1533 (E), dated the 14th September, 2006, namely:-
In the said notification,-
(1) in paragraph 4, for sub-paragraph (iii a), the following shall be substituted, namely:-
(iii a) Such Category ‘B’ projects, relating to the National defence or strategic or security importance or
those as notified by the Central Government on account of exigencies such as pandemics, natural disasters
or to promote environmentally friendly activities under National Programmes or Schemes or Missions or
such projects which are inordinately delayed beyond the stipulated timeline as laid down in this
notification and also meet the criteria as laid down in this regard from time to time, shall be considered at
the Central level as Category ‘B’ projects;
(2) in the Schedule,–
(i) against item 1(a),–
(a) in column (3),–
(A) for ―>100 ha. of mining lease area in respect of non-coal mining lease‖, the following shall
be substituted, namely:–
―>250 ha mining lease area in respect of major mineral mining lease other than coal‖;
(B) for the symbol, figures and letters ―> 150 ha‖, the symbol, figures and letters ―> 500 ha‖
shall be substituted;
(b) in column (4),–
(A) for ―≤ 100 ha of mining lease area in respect of non-coal mine lease‖, the following shall be
substituted, namely:–
―All mining lease area in respect of minor mineral mining leases and ≤ 250 ha mining lease area
in respect of major mineral mining lease other than coal‖;[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का राजपत्र : ऄसाधारण 5
(B) for the symbols, figures and letters ―≤ 150 ha‖, the symbols, figures and letters ―≤ 500 ha‖
shall be substituted;
(ii) against item 1(c),–
(a) in column (3),–
(A) in serial number (i), for the symbols, figures and letters ―≥ 50 MW‖, the symbols,
figures and letters ―≥100 MW‖ shall be substituted;
(B) serial number (ii) and the entries relating thereto shall be omitted;
(b) in column (4),–
(A) in serial number (i), for the symbol, figures and letters ―< 50 MW‖, the symbol, figures
and letters ―< 100 MW‖ shall be substituted;
(B) in serial number (ii),–
(I) the word, symbol and figures ―and < 50,000 ha.‖ shall be omitted;
(II) in point (c) in the table, the word, symbol and figures ―to < 50,000‖ shall be
omitted;
(c) in column (5), after serial number (ii), the following serial number shall be inserted,
namely:–
―(iii) Irrigation projects involving Inter-State issues shall be appraised at Central level without
change in category.‖;
(iii) against item 1(d),–
(a) in column (3), for the symbols, figures and letters ―≥ 50 MW‖, the symbols, figures and letters
―≥100 MW‖ shall be substituted;
(b) in column (4), for the symbol, figures and letters ―< 50 MW‖, the symbol, figures and letters
―< 100 MW‖ shall be substituted;
(iv) against item 2(a),–
(a) in column (3), for the symbols and figure ―≥1‖, the symbols and figures ―≥ 2.5‖ shall be
substituted;
(b) in column (4), for the symbols and figure ―<1‖, the symbols and figures ―< 2.5‖ shall be
substituted;
(c) in column (5), after the existing paragraph, the following paragraph shall be inserted, namely:–
―Integrated coal mining projects with washeries located within mining lease area shall continue to
be considered at Central level or State level, as the case may be, as per the extant threshold for coal
mining projects.‖;
(v) against item 2 (b),–
(a) in column (3), the existing entries shall be omitted;
(b) in column (4), for the symbol, figures, words and letters ―< 0.5 million TPA throughput‖, the
words ―All mineral beneficiation projects irrespective of the procedure for beneficiation‖ shall be
substituted;
(c) in column (5), after the existing paragraph, the following paragraph shall be inserted, namely:–
―Integrated mining projects with beneficiation plants located within mining lease area shall
continue to be considered at Central level or State level, as the case may be, as per the extant
threshold for mining projects.‖;
(vi) against item 7 (a),–
(a) in column (3), for the words ―All projects‖, the words ―All new projects‖ shall be substituted;6 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
(b) in column (4), the following shall be inserted, namely:–
―All expansions projects, including airstrips, which are for commercial use.‖.
[F. No. IA3-22/10/2022-IA.III]
Dr. SUJIT KUMAR BAJPAYEE, Jt. Secy.
Note : The principal notification was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section III,
sub-section (ii), vide, number S.O. 1533(E), dated the 14th September, 2006 and was last amended,
vide, the notification number S.O. 1807(E), dated the 12th April, 2022.
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and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.