Home India Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Environment Relief Fund (Amendment) Scheme, 2024...
Date: 17-Dec-2024 Category: Extra Ordinary State: Union Government Country: India

Environment Relief Fund (Amendment) Scheme, 2024

Issued by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · Hazardous Substances Management Division

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Executive Summary & Key Takeaways

What it means

  • This gazette notification announces amendments to the Environment Relief Fund Scheme, 2008. The amendments are made under the powers conferred by the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991. The amendments aim to streamline the management and disbursement of the Environment Relief Fund, clarify its purpose, and enhance its operational efficiency.

Key Changes

  • The Relief Fund is now vested in the Central Government.
  • The scope of the fund is expanded to include compensation or relief for environmental damage under Section 24 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
  • The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will be the fund manager for five years starting January 1, 2025.
  • The CPCB replaces United Insurance Company Limited as the fund manager.
  • Payments can now be made through electronic modes in addition to demand drafts.
  • The fund management fee has been increased from 1% to 2%.
  • The Fund Manager will develop and maintain an online portal for the scheme's implementation.
  • The Fund Manager will disburse funds based on orders from the District Collector or the Central Government.
  • Investments should be made in a way that allows for disbursement within 15 days, preferably in public financial institutions and savings accounts.
  • Interest on the Relief Fund will be quarterly cumulative and reinvested.
  • The full maturity value of fixed deposits will be reinvested.
  • The Fund Manager will submit annual accounts to the Central Government.
  • The Collector will forward a copy of the award (Form II) to the Fund Manager for fund release.
  • The Fund Manager must release funds to the Collector within 30 days of receiving the award and order, subject to fund availability.
  • The term 'relief money' has been replaced with 'money'.
  • The provision for the fund manager to maintain a separate account for each claim has been removed.
  • The Fund Manager will earmark funds for environmental damage restoration as per the Public Liability Insurance Rules, 1991.
  • The CPCB or State Pollution Control Board will create detailed plans for restoration, with cost estimates, to be submitted to the Central Government.
  • The Central Government can order disbursement for restoration upon satisfaction with the plan.
  • The Relief Fund accounts will be audited by an independent auditor appointed by the Central Government from a panel approved by the Comptroller and Auditor-General.
  • Form II has been updated to include details of the accident and the affected party.

Impact Analysis

Central Government

  • The Central Government will appoint the independent auditor for the fund.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

  • Increased workload and responsibility for the CPCB.

State Pollution Control Boards

  • They will submit these plans to the Central Government for approval.

District Collectors

  • The revised process requires the District Collector to ensure the correct information is provided in the new Form II.

Claimants

  • The revised Form II ensures that all relevant details are captured for processing claims.

Public Financial Institutions

  • This could lead to increased deposits in these institutions.

Independent Auditors

  • This will ensure greater transparency and accountability in the fund's management.

Key Entities Referenced

Environment Relief Fund Scheme, 2008: The original scheme that is being amended by this notification. Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991: The Act under which the Environment Relief Fund Scheme is established and amended. National Green Tribunal Act, 2010: The Act under which compensation or relief for environmental damage can be claimed, now covered under the Environment Relief Fund. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): The new fund manager for the Environment Relief Fund, responsible for its management and disbursement. State Pollution Control Boards: Responsible for creating detailed plans for restoration of environmental damage in their respective jurisdictions. United Insurance Company Limited: The previous fund manager, now replaced by the CPCB. Comptroller and Auditor-General: The authority that approves the panel of auditors for the Relief Fund. Companies Act, 2013: The Act that defines public financial institutions where the Relief Fund can be invested.
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रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-18122024-259490 CG-DxLx-xEG-I1D8H1x2x2x0 24-259490 xxxGIDExxx असाधारण EXTRAORDINARY भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii) PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii) प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY स.ं 5046] नई दिल्ली, मगं लवार, दिसम्ब र 17, 2024/ अग्रहार्ण 26 1946 No. 5046] NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2024/ AGRAHAYANA 26, 1946 पर्ाावरण, वन और िलवार् ुपररवतना मत्रं ालर् अजधसचू ना नई दिल्ली, 17 दिसम् बर, 2024 का.आ. 5453(अ).— पर्ाावरण राहत जनजध स्ट्कीम, 2008 में संिोधन करन े के जलए प्रारूप अजधसूचना पर्ाावरण, वन और िलवार्ु पररवतना मत्रं ालर्, भारत सरकार द्वारा अजधसूचना सं 2919 (अ), तारीख 23 िुलाई, 2024 द्वारा प्रकाजित की गई थी, िो उक्त अजधसूचना मैं अंतजवष्ट रािपत्र की प्रजतर्ां िनता को उपलब्ध कराए िाने की तारीख से साठ दिन की अवजध की समाजि से पूवा, इसस े प्रभाजवत होने वाले सभी व्यजक्तर्ों स े आपजिर्ां और सुझाव आमंजत्रत दकए गए थे; और, उक्त अजधसूचना मैं अंतजवष्ट रािपत्र की प्रजतर्ां 23 िुलाई, 2024 को िनता के जलए उपलब्ध कराई गई थीं; और, उक्त अवजध के भीतर उक्त प्रारूप अजधसूचना के संबंध म ें िनता से प्राि आपजिर्ों और सुझावों पर केंद्रीर् सरकार द्वारा सम्र्क रूप स े जवचार दकर्ा गर्ा ह;ै अत, अब:, केंद्रीर् सरकार लोक िाजर्त्व बीमा अजधजनर्म, 1991 (1991 का 6) की धारा 7 क की उप-धारा (3) द्वारा प्रिि िजक्तर्ों का प्रर्ोग करत े हुए, , पर्ाावरण राहत जनजध स्ट्कीम, 2008 म ें संिोधन करन े के जलए जनम्नजलजखत स्ट्कीम बनाती ह,ै अथाात्: __ 1. (1) इस स्ट्कीम का संजिि नाम पर्ाावरण राहत जनजध (संिोधन) स्ट्कीम, 2024 ह।ै (2) र्ह रािपत्र में प्रकािन की तारीख को प्रवृि होगी। 8158 GI/2024 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)] 2. पर्ाावरण राहत जनजध स्ट्कीम, 2008 में जिसे इसमेंइसके पश्चातउक्त स्ट्कीमकहााँ गर्ा ह)ै , परै ा 3 म,ें __ (क) उप-परै ा (1) के पश्चात, जनम्नजलजखत उप-परै ा अतं :स्ट्थाजपत दकर्ा िाएगा, अथाात्:__ ‘‘(1क) र्ह राहत जनजध केंद्रीर् सरकार के पास जनजहत होगी।’’; (ख) उप-परै ा (4) म,ें खडं (ii) के स्ट्थान पर, जनम्नजलजखत खडं अतं :स्ट्थाजपत दकए िाएगं े, अथाात्: __ ''(ii) राष्ट्रीर् हररत अजधकरण अजधजनर्म, 2010 (2010 का 19) की धारा 24 के आधीनपर्ाावरण को दकसी भी िजत के जलए प्रजतकर र्ा राहत के रूप म ेंप्रेजित राजि।”; (iii) अजधजनर्म की धारा 14 र्ा धारा 15 र्ा धारा 17 के आधीनलगाए गए िडं और अजतररक्त िडं ; (iv) राहत जनजध के जनवेि पर अर्िात ब्र्ाि र्ा प्रजतफल’’। 3. उक्त स्ट्कीम के पैरा 4 म,ें उप-परै ा (1) के स्ट्थान पर जनम्नजलजखत उप-पैरा रखा िाएगा, अथाात ् - (1) केंद्रीर् प्रििू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोड ा1 िनवरी, 2025 से पांच विा की अवजध के जलए जनजध प्रबंधक होगा। 4. उक्त स्ट्कीम के पैरा 5 में। __ (क)"उप-पैरा (1) म,ें “र्ूनाइटेड इंश्र्ोरेंस कंपनी जलजमटेड”िब्िों के स्ट्थान पर “केंद्रीर् प्रििू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोडा” , िब्ि अतःस्ट्थाजपत दकर्ा िाएगा;" (ख) उप-परै ा (4) म,ें "जडमांड ड्राफ्ट" िब्िों के पश्चात, "र्ा अन्र् इलेक्ट्रॉजनक मोड" िब्ि अतं :स्ट्थाजपत दकर्ा िाएगा; (ग) उप-पैरा (7) म,ें िब्ि ''1%'' को ''2%'' िब्ि के साथ अतःस्ट्थाजपत दकर्ा िाएगा और "समर्-समर् पर" िब्िों का लोप दकर्ा िाएगा; (घ) उप-पैरा (9) के पश्चात, जनम्नजलजखत उप-परै ा अतं :स्ट्थाजपत िाएंग,े अथाात:् __ “(10) केन्द्रीर् सरकार के परामिा से जनजध प्रबंधक, इस स्ट्कीम के कार्ाान्वर्न के प्रर्ोिन से एक ऑनलाइन पोटाल जवकजसत करेगा और उसका रख-रखाव करेगा। (11) जनजध प्रबंधक इस अजधजनर्म के अतं गता र्थाजस्ट्थजत जिला कलेक्ट्टर अथवा केन्द्रीर् सरकार द्वारा िारी आिेि, राहत जनजध से राजि का संजवतरण करेगा।” 5. उक्त स्ट्कीम के पैरा 6 के स्ट्थान पर, जनम्नजलजखत परै ा को अतःस्ट्थाजपत दकर्ा िाएगा, अथाात:् __ “6 राहत जनजध के आधीन प्राि राजि का जनविे __ (1) राहत जनजध के आधीन प्राि राजि को जनजध प्रबंधक द्वारा इस प्रकार जनवेि दकर्ा िाएगा जिससे पंद्रह दिनों के भीतर राजि का जवतरण दकर्ा िा सके। (2) राहत जनजध म ें राजि कंपनी अजधजनर्म, 2013 (2013 का 18) की धारा 2 के खंड (72) म ें पररभाजित सावािजनक जविीर् संस्ट्थानों में और बचत खातों में उजचत रूप से जनवेि की िाएगी जिससेइस स्ट्कीम के आधीन संजवतरण के जलए धन की समर् पर उपलब्धता सुजनजश्चत की िा सके। (3) राहत जनजध पर ब्र्ाि त्रैमाजसक संचर्ी होगा और इसे दफर से जनवेि दकर्ा िाएगा। (4) सावजध िमा पर पूण ा पररपक्वता मूल्र् का भी पुनर्नावेि दकर्ा िाएगा। (5) जनजध प्रबंधक राहत जनजध के प्रबंधन पर लेखाओं का वार्िका जववरण केन्द्रीर् सरकार को प्रस्ट्तुत करेगा।” 6. उक्त स्ट्कीम के पैरा 7 म,ें (क) उप-परै ा (1) के स्ट्थान पर, जनम्नजलजखत पैरा अतःस्ट्थाजपत दकए िाएंगे, अथाात्:- ‘‘(1) िहां कलेक्ट्टर अजधजनर्म की धारा 7 के आधीन राहत जनजध कोि से राजि के भुगतान का आिेि िते ा है, वह आिेि में जनर्िष्टा ऐसे व्यजक्त को भुगतान करने के जलए राहत जनजध से राजि िारी करने के जलए प्रपत्र II में दिए गए ऐसे पुरस्ट्कार की प्रजत जनजध प्रबंधक को अग्रेजित करेगा।[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3 "(1क) उप-पैरा (1) के आधीन परु स्ट्कार और आिेि की एक प्रजत प्राि होने पर, जनजध प्रबंधक, जनजधर्ों की उपलब्धता के अधीन, आिेि और पुरस्ट्कार की प्राजि की तारीख से तीस दिनों की अवजध के भीतर कलेक्ट्टर को राजि िारी करेगा।" (ख) उप-परै ा (4) म,ें "राहत राजि" िब्िों के के स्ट्थान पर, ''राजि'' िब्ि रखा िाएगा; (ग) उप-पैरा (11) का लोप दकर्ा िाएगा। 7. उक्त स्ट्कीम के पैरा 7 के पश्चात, जनम्नजलजखत परै ा अतं :स्ट्थाजपत दकर्ा िाएगा, अथाात:् _ ‘‘7क. पर्ावा रणीर् िजत की पनु ः बहाली_ (1) जनजध प्रबंधक, लोक िाजर्त्व बीमा जनर्म, 1991 के जनर्म 3क के अंतगता जनजधर्ों के आबंटन पर, अजधजनर्म की धारा 7 की उप-धारा (9) के अतं गता उपबंजधत प्रर्ोिनों के जलए राहत जनजध में जनजधर्ों को जनधााररत करता ह।ै (2) र्थाजस्ट्थजत, केन्द्रीर् प्रििू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोड ा र्ा राज्र् प्रििू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोडा, अजधजनर्म की धारा 7 की उप- धारा (9) के अधीन हुई िजत की पुनः बहाली के जलए जवस्ट्ततृ र्ोिना बनाएगा और लागत के अनुमान के साथ केन्द्रीर् सरकार को प्रस्ट्ततु करेगा। (3) केन्द्रीर् सरकार, उप-परै ा (2) के अधीन प्रस्ट्तुत र्ोिना और अनुमान स े संतुष्ट होने पर, िजत की पुनः बहाली के प्रर्ोिन के जलए र्थाजस्ट्थजत केन्द्रीर् प्रििू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोडा र्ा राज्र् प्रििू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोडा, को राजि के संजवतरण के जलए जनर्मों के जनर्म 3क के उप-जनर्म (2) के अधीन आिेि िे सकेगी। (4) उप-परै ा (3) के आधीन आिेि प्राि होन े पर जनजध प्रबंधक उक्त आििे के अनुसार राजि के संजवतरण की व्यवस्ट्था करेगा।’’ 8. उक्त स्ट्कीम के परै ा 8 म,ें उप-परै ा (3) के स्ट्थान पर, जनम्नजलजखत उप-परै ा रखा िाएगा, अथाात:् _ “(3) राहत जनजध के लेखाओं की लेखापरीिा जनर्ंत्रक एवं महालेखा परीिक द्वारा अनुमोदित पैनल में स े केन्द्रीर् सरकार द्वारा जनर्ुक्त स्ट्वतंत्र लेखा परीिक द्वारा की िाएगी।” 9. उक्त स्ट्कीम में प्ररूप- II के स्ट्थान पर, जनम्नजलजखत प्ररूप रखा िाएगा, अथाता ्:_ “प्ररूप-II [पैरा 7(1) िेख]ें कलेक्ट्टर का कार्ाालर् _________________(जिला, राज्र्) क्रम सं.: कलेक्ट्टर: तारीख आिेि मैं _______________ रुपर् े (िब्िों म_ें _____रुपर्े) श्री/श्रीमती/कुमारी के ................ (मृत्र्ु र्ा चोट र्ा संपजि को िजत) के संबंध म ें श्री/श्रीमती/कुमारी ----------- मृतक के जवजधक प्रजतजनजध के रूप म ें अथवा श्री/श्रीमती/कुमारी---------- (घार्ल का नाम) को राहत के रूप म ें मंिूरी िेता हिं ो ----------- (औद्योजगक इकाई और स्ट्थान का नाम) पर जनमााण, प्रसंस्ट्करण, उपचार, पैकेि, भडं ारण, वाहन द्वारा पररवहन, उपर्ोग, संग्रह, जवध्वंस, रूपातं रण, जबक्री की पेिकि, ऐसे खतरनाक पिाथों के हस्ट्तांतरण के पररणामस्ट्वरूप हुई ह।ै कलेक्ट्टर का हस्ट्तािर (मुहर)4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)] तारीख: स्ट्थान: प्रजतजलजप: 1. जनजध प्रबंधक 2. बीमा कंपनी कार्ाालर् 3. िावाकताा 4. कलेक्ट्टर कार्ाालर् फाइल 5. संबंजधत स्ट्वामी”।’’ [फा. सं. एचएसएम-12/96/2020-एचएसएम] वेि प्रकाि जमश्रा, संर्ुक्त सजचव रटप्पणी: प्रधान अजधसूचना सा.का.जन संख्र्ा 768 (अ) तारीख 4 नवंबर, 2008 के द्वारा प्रकाजित की गई थी। MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 17th December, 2024 S.O. 5453(E).—WHEREAS the draft notification for bringing out amendment to Environment Relief Fund Scheme, 2008 was published, by the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, vide notification number S.O. 2919(E), dated the 23rd July, 2024, inviting objections and suggestions from all persons likely to be affected thereby, before the expiry of the period of sixty days from the date on which copies of the Gazette containing the said notification were made available to the public; AND WHEREAS, the copies of the Gazette containing the said notification were made available to the public on the 23rd July, 2024; AND WHEREAS, the objections and suggestions were received from the public in respect of the said draft notification within the said period have been duly considered by the Central Government; NOW, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 7A of the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 (6 of 1991), the Central Government, hereby makes the following scheme further to amend the Environment Relief Fund Scheme 2008, namely:__ 1. (1) This scheme may be called the Environment Relief Fund (Amendment) Scheme, 2024. (2) It shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. 2. In the Environment Relief Fund Scheme, 2008 (hereinafter referred to as the said scheme), in paragraph 3, __ (a) after sub-paragraph (1), the following sub-paragraph shall be inserted, namely: __ ‘‘ (1A) The Relief Fund shall be vested in the Central Government.’’; (b) in sub-paragraph (4), for clause (ii), the following clauses shall be substituted, namely: __ ''(ii) amount remitted as compensation or relief for any damage to the environment under section 24 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 (19 of 2010).”; (iii) penalties and additional penalties imposed under section 14 or section 15 or section 17 of the Act; (iv) interest or returns earned on the investments of the Relief Fund.’’. 3. In paragraph 4 of the said scheme, for sub-paragraph (1), the following sub-paragraph shall be substituted, namely.- (1) Central Pollution Control Board shall be the fund manager for a period of five years with effect from 1st day of January, 2025. 4. In paragraph 5 of the said scheme. __[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 5 (a) in sub-paragraph (1), for the words ‘‘United Insurance Company Limited’’, the words ‘‘Central Pollution Control Board’’ shall be substituted; (b) in sub-paragraph (4), after the words “Demand Draft”, the words “or other electronic mode” shall be inserted; (c) in sub-paragraph (7), the word ‘‘1%’’ shall be substituted with word ‘‘2%’’ and words “from time to time,” shall be omitted; (d) after sub-paragraph (9), the following sub-paragraphs shall be inserted, namely: __ “(10) The Fund Manager, in consultation with the Central Government, shall develop and maintain an online portal for the purpose of implementation of this scheme. (11) The Fund Manager shall disburse the amount from the Relief Fund as per the order issued by the District Collector or the Central Government, as the case may be, under the Act.”. 5. For paragraph 6 of the said scheme, the following paragraph shall be substituted, namely: __ “6. Investment of amount received under Relief Fund. __ (1) The amount received under the Relief Fund shall be invested by the Fund Manager in such a manner so that disbursement of amounts can be made within fifteen days. (2) Amounts in the Relief Fund shall be invested appropriately in public financial institutions as defined in clause (72) of section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013) and in saving accounts to ensure timely availability of funds for disbursement under this scheme. (3) The interest on the Relief Fund shall be quarterly cumulative and shall be reinvested. (4) The full maturity value on the fixed deposits shall also be reinvested. (5) The Fund Manager shall submit an annual statement of accounts on the management of Relief Fund to the Central Government.”. 6. In paragraph 7 of the said scheme, (a) for sub-paragraph (1), the following paragraphs shall be substituted, namely: - ‘‘ (1) Where the Collector in an award made under section 7 of the Act orders the payment of amount from the Relief Fund, he shall forward the copy of such award made in Form II to the Fund Manager for release of the amount from the Relief Fund for making the payment to such person as specified in the order. (1A) On receipt of a copy of the award and order under sub-paragraph (1), the Fund Manager shall, subject to the availability of funds, release the amount to the Collector within a period of thirty days from the date of receipt of the order and the award.’’. (b) in sub-paragraph (4), for the words “relief money”, the word ‘’money’’ shall be substituted; (c) sub-paragraph (11) shall be omitted. 7. After paragraph 7 of the said scheme, the following paragraph shall be inserted, namely: _ ‘‘7A. Restoration of the environmental damage. _ (1) The Fund Manager, upon allocation of funds under rule 3A of the Public Liability Insurance Rules, 1991, earmark the funds in the Relief Fund for the purposes provided under sub-section (9) of section 7 of the Act. (2) The Central Pollution Control Board or the State Pollution Control Board as the case may be, shall make a detailed plan for restoration of the damage caused under sub-section (9) of section 7 of the Act and submit to the Central Government with the estimation of the cost. (3) The Central Government on being satisfied with the plan and the estimation submitted under sub- paragraph (2), may make an order under sub-rule (2) of rule 3A of the rules for disbursement of amount to the Central Pollution Control Board or the State Pollution Control Board, as the case may be, for the purpose of restoration of damage. (4) The Fund Manager, on receipt of order under sub-paragraph (3), shall make arrangements for disbursement of amount as per the said order.’’. 8. In paragraph 8 of the said scheme, for sub-paragraph (3), the following sub-paragraph shall be substituted, namely: _ “(3) The accounts of the Relief Fund shall be audited by an independent auditor appointed by the Central Government from the panel approved by the Comptroller and Auditor-General.”. 9. For Form-II in the said scheme, the following Form shall be substituted, namely: _6 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)] “FORM-II [See paragraph 7(1)] Office of Collector_________________(District, State) SERIAL No.: Collector: Date ORDER I hereby sanction Rs._______________(in words______rupees) as an relief in respect of …………….(the death or injury or damage to property) of Shri/Shrimati/Km resulting from accidents due to manufacture, processing, ------------ treatment, package, storage, transportation by vehicle, use, collection, destruction, conversion, offering for sale, transfer of the like of such hazardous substances which took place at (Name of the industrial unit and Place) on ----------- to Shri/Shrimati/Kumari as the legal representative of the deceased or to Shri/Shrimati/Kumari ----------- ----------- ---------- (Name of the injured). Signature of the Collector (seal) Date: Place: Copy to: 1. Fund Manager 2. Office of the Insurance Company 3. The Claimant 4. Collector office file 5. The Owner concerned”. [F. No. HSM-12/96/2020-HSM] VED PRAKASH MISHRA, Jt. Secy. Note: The Principal notification was published vide G.S.R. No. 768 (E) dated 4th November, 2008. Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.

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