## Report on Notification Regarding State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) for Gujarat
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a notification (S.O. 2002(E)) issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, dated May 2, 2025. The notification pertains to the constitution of the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) for Gujarat. This notification establishes the committee, defines its composition, outlines its responsibilities, and sets forth guidelines for its operation. The key finding is the delineation of responsibilities between two SEACs for Gujarat, with the newly constituted committee focusing specifically on mining projects.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative overview of the notification S.O. 2002(E) concerning the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) for Gujarat, based solely on the information provided within the document itself. The report aims to provide stakeholders with a clear understanding of the committee's formation, purpose, and operational guidelines.
**3. Policy Overview:**
This is a new policy notification concerning the establishment of an expert committee.
* **Core Objective(s):** The core objective is to constitute a State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) for Gujarat to appraise or reappraise projects, specifically mining projects, to ensure environmental compliance and sustainable development within the state. The text also implies an objective to avoid conflicts of interest in the appraisal process.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
This new policy establishes a committee within an existing framework. The policy addresses the need for expert appraisal of projects to mitigate environmental impact. The notification mentions the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and a prior notification S.O. 1533E, dated September 14, 2006, indicating an ongoing process of environmental oversight. The likely underlying issue being addressed is the necessity for specialized expertise and local knowledge in evaluating projects within Gujarat, with this specific notification seemingly designed to refine the appraisal process by creating a committee focused solely on mining projects. The existence of a previous SEAC (S.O. 2581E, dated June 13, 2023) that handles other projects further supports this interpretation.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This is a new policy, therefore all provisions are key.
* **Establishment of SEAC:** The notification formally establishes the "State Level Expert Appraisal Committee2 SEAC2 for Gujarat". Note that the document refers to the committee as "Committee2" and "SEAC2".
* **Committee Composition:** The notification specifies the composition of the committee, including the names and affiliations of the Chairman, Member, and Member Secretary. It consists of experts from relevant fields such as forestry, geology, and environmental engineering.
* **Term of Office:** The Chairman and Members hold office for a term of three years from the date of publication of the notification.
* **Conflict of Interest Guidelines:** The notification outlines specific guidelines to avoid conflicts of interest, requiring members to declare consulting organizations and project proponents they are associated with, and prohibiting consultation on projects to be decided by the Authority or appraised by the committee during their tenure. Members are also required to recuse themselves from meetings if they have provided consultancy services to a project proponent within the preceding five years.
* **Scope of Appraisal:** The SEAC constituted by this notification is specifically designated to appraise or reappraise *only mining projects* pertaining to the State.
* **Decision-Making Process:** The committee is expected to function on the principle of collective responsibility, with the Chairman striving for consensus. In the absence of consensus, the view of the majority shall prevail.
* **Secretariat and Support:** The Government of Gujarat is tasked with specifying an agency to act as the Secretariat for the Committee, providing financial and logistic support.
* **Financial Provisions:** The sitting fees, traveling allowances, and dearness allowances for the Chairman and Members will be paid according to the relevant rules of the Government of Gujarat.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The target audience and stakeholders include:
* **Mining Industry:** Directly affected by the appraisal process of the SEAC.
* **Government of Gujarat:** Responsible for providing secretariat support and financial resources.
* **Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change:** Overseeing the environmental appraisal process.
* **Environmental Consultants:** Affected by the conflict of interest guidelines.
* **Local Communities in Gujarat:** Potentially impacted by mining projects and their environmental consequences.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is responsible for issuing the notification. The Government of Gujarat is responsible for specifying an agency to act as the Secretariat and providing financial and logistic support. The SEAC itself is responsible for conducting the appraisals. The "Authority" is mentioned as making decisions based on the committee's recommendations.
* **Timelines:** The committee members hold office for a term of three years.
* **Procedures:** The SEAC is expected to follow the procedures specified in the earlier notification (S.O. 1533E, dated September 14, 2006).
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcomes are:
* **Enhanced Environmental Appraisal:** Specialized appraisal of mining projects, potentially leading to more effective environmental protection.
* **Reduced Conflicts of Interest:** Increased transparency and impartiality in the appraisal process.
* **Streamlined Appraisal Process:** Clear division of responsibilities between the two SEACs, leading to a more efficient appraisal process for mining projects.
**9. Conclusion:**
The notification S.O. 2002(E) represents a specific refinement of the environmental appraisal process in Gujarat by establishing a dedicated State Level Expert Appraisal Committee for mining projects. By defining the committee's composition, responsibilities, and operational guidelines, and specifically outlining conflict-of-interest regulations, the notification aims to ensure a robust and transparent appraisal process, ultimately contributing to environmentally sustainable development within the state's mining sector.
Key Entities Referenced
NEW DELHI: Location where the notification was issued.
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2025: Date of the notification.
VAISAKHA 12, 1947: Date of the notification according to the Indian national calendar.
THE GAZETTE OF INDIA: Official publication in which the notification appears.
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE: The government ministry issuing the notification.
Environment Protection Act, 1986: Law under which the notification is issued.
Government of India: The government referenced in the notification.
Ministry of Environment and Forests: Former name of the ministry issuing the notification.
S.O. 1533E, dated the 14th September, 2006: Notification number and date referenced in the document.
Central Government: The government entity taking action.
Government of Gujarat: The state government consulted in the process.
State Level Expert Appraisal Committee: Committee being constituted.
Gujarat: State for which the committee is constituted.
Dr. Ashok kumar Saxena: Chairman of the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC).
Indian Forest Services: The service from which Dr. Ashok Kumar Saxena retired.
Gandhinagar: City where Dr. Ashok Kumar Saxena resides.
Gujarat382007: State and PIN code of Gandhinagar
Shri Anil Lalitprasad Uniyal: Member of the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC).
Vadodara390010: City and PIN code where Anil Lalitprasad Uniyal resides.
Dr. Paras Mukundbhai Solanki: Member of the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC).
M.G. Science Institute: Institute where Dr. Paras Mukundbhai Solanki works.
Ahmedabad380009: City and PIN code where M.G. Science Institute is located.
Shri Dilipkumar Mohanlal Rathod: Member Secretary of the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC).
Gujarat Pollution Control Board: Organization where Shri Dilipkumar Mohanlal Rathod works.
Mehsana 384002: City and PIN code where the Regional Office of Gujarat Pollution Control Board is located.
Official Gazette: Publication where the notification is published.
S.O 2581E, dated the 13th June, 2023: Notification number and date referenced in the document.
RAJAT AGARWAL: Jt.Secy issuing the notification.
Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi110064: Location where the document was printed.
Delhi110054: Location of the Controller of Publications.
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असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 1958] नई दिल्ली, िुक्रवार, मई 2, 2025/ विै ाख 12, 1947
No. 1958] NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2025/ VAISAKHA 12, 1947
पर्ाावरण, वन और िलवार् ुपररवतना मत्रं ालर्
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 2 मई, 2025
का.आ. 2002(अ).—.- केन्द रीर् सरकार, पर्ावा रण (संरक्षण) अजधजनर्म, 1986 (1986 का 29) की धारा
3 की उपधारा (3) द्वारा प्रित्त िजत र्ों का प्रर्ोग करते हुए और भारत सरकार के तत्कालीन पर्ाावरण और वन मंत्रालर्
की अजधसूचना संखर्ांक का.आ. 1533(अ), तारीख 14 जसतंबर, 2006 (जिसे इसमें इसके पश् चात् उत अजधसूचना कहा
गर्ा ह)ै के अनुसरण में गुिरात सरकार के परामिा से, गुिरात के जलए राज्र् स्ट्तरीर् जविेषज्ञ मल्ू र्ांकन सजमजत -2 (एसईएसी-
2) (जिसे इसम ेंइसके पश् चात ्उक्त सजमजत-2 कहा गर्ा ह)ै , का तीन वषा की अवजध के जलए गठन करती ह,ै जिसमें जनम्न जलजखत
सिस्ट् र् होंग,े अर्ाात:् -
1 डॉ. अिोक कुमार ससेना, भारतीर् वन सेवा (सेवाजनवृत्त) अध्र्क्ष;
बंगला 38, सेटर 8-ए, गाधं ीनगर, गुिरात – 382007 ।
2 श्री अजनल लजलतप्रसाि उजनर्ाल, सिस्ट्र्;
ज्र्ेष्ठ भूजवज्ञानी (सेवाजनवृत्त)
33 ई, कृपाल ुनगर सोसार्टी, तरसाली सुसेन रोड़, बड़ोिरा- 390010।
3 डॉ. पारस मुकुंिभाई सोलंकी, सिस्ट्र्;
2938 GI/2025 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
जवभागाध्र्क्ष भू जवज्ञान, एम.िी. जवज्ञान संस्ट्र्ान, नवरंगपरु ा अहमिाबाि
380009 ।
4 श्री दिलीप कुमार मोहनलाल राठोड़, सिस्ट्र्-सजचव।
पर्ाावरण इंिीजनर्र, गुिरात प्रिषू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोड,ा
गुिरात प्रिषू ण जनर्ंत्रण बोड ा का प्रािेजिक कार्ाालर्,
प्लाट संखर्ा – एच/3-ए, गुिरात औद्योजगक जवकास जनगम – 1,
भारतीर् खाद्य जनगम गोिाम के पास, मोढेरा रोड़, मेहसाणा – 384002 ।
2. उक्त सजमजत- 2 की जसफाररिें, प्राजधकरण द्वारा अपने जवजनश्चर् के जलए जवचार में ली िाएगी ।
3. उक्त सजमजत-2 के अध्र्क्ष और सिस्ट्र् रािपत्र म ें इस अजधसूचना के प्रकािन की तारीख स े तीन वष ा की अवजध के जलए
पि धारण करेंग े।
4. जहतों के टकराव से बचने के जलए-
(1) उक्त सजमजत-2 के अध्र्क्ष और सिस्ट्र्-
(क) र्ह घोजषत करेंगे दक वे दकस परामिी संगठन और सार् ही दकस पररर्ोिना प्रस्ट्तावक के सार् िुड़ े
ह;ैं
(ख) दकसी पररर्ोिना के जलए पर्ाावरणीर् समाघात जनधाारण और पर्ाावरण प्रबंधन र्ोिना की तैर्ारी
के जलए कोई परामि ा नहीं िेग ें र्ा सहर्ोग नहीं करेंगे,िो उनके कार्ाकाल के िौरान प्राजधकरण द्वारा
जवजनजश् चत र्ा सजमजत द्वारा मल्ू र्ांदकत की िानी है; और
(2) र्दि जपछले पांच वष ामें, उक्त सजमजत-2 के अध्र्क्ष र्ा दकसी भी सिस्ट्र् ने परामिी सेवाएं प्रिान की ह ैंर्ा दकसी
पररर्ोिना प्रस्ट्तावक के जलए पर्ाावरणीर् समाघात जनधाारण अध्र्र्न आर्ोजित दकर्ा है, तो उस जस्ट्र्जत में वे ऐस े
प्रस्ट्तावकों द्वारा प्रस्ट्ताजवत दकसी पररर्ोिना के मूल्र्ांकन की प्रदक्रर्ा में और उक्त सजमजत-2 की बैठकों स े स्ट्वर् ं को
अलग कर लगें े ।
5. उक्त सजमजत-2 उक्त अजधसूचना में जवजनर्िाष् ट िजक्तर्ों का प्रर्ोग करेगी और प्रदक्रर्ाओं का अनपु ालन करेगी।
6. राज्र् स्ट्तरीर् जविेषज्ञ मल्ू र्ांकन सजमजत-2 केवल राज्र् से संबंजधत खनन पररर्ोिनाओं का मूल्र्ांकन र्ा पुन:मल्ू र्ांकन
करेगी । का.आ. 2581(अ), तारीख 13 िून, 2023 द्वारा गरठत राज्र् स्ट्तरीर् जविेषज्ञ मल्ू र्ांकन सजमजत खनन के जसवार्
अन्दर् सभी पररर्ोिनाओं का मूल्र्ांकन र्ा पुन:मल्ू र्ांकन करेगी ।
7. उक्त सजमजत-2 सामूजहक उत्तरिाजर्त्व के जसद्ांत पर कार्ा करेगी और अध्र्क्ष प्रत्र्ेक मामले में सवासम् मजत पर
पहुचं ने का प्रर्ास करेंग ेऔर र्दि वे सवासम् मजत पर पहुचं न े में असफल रहत ेह ैंतो बहुमत का मत अजभभावी होगा ।
8. गुिरात सरकार, उक्त सजमजत-2 के जलए सजचवालर् के रूप में कार्ा करने के जलए दकसी अजभकरण को जवजनर्िाष्ट करेंगी
और सजचवालर् जवत्तीर् और संभार तंत्र जिसके अंतगात वास-सुजवधा, पररवहन और उनके काननू ी कृत्र्ों की बाबत ऐसी अन्दर्
सुजवधाएं भी ह,ैं उपलब्ध कराएगी ।
9. उक्त सजमजत-2 के अध्र्क्ष और सिस्ट्र्ों की बैठक की फीस, र्ात्रा भत्ता और मंहगाई भत्ता गुिरात सरकार के सुसंगत
जनर्मों के उपबंधों के अनुसार संित्त दकए िाएंगे ।
[फा.सं.-आईए 3-13/4/2023-आईए.।।।]
रित अग्रवाल, संर्ुक्त सजचव[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 2nd May, 2025
S.O. 2002(E).—.— In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 3 of the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) and in pursuance of 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 (hereinafter referred to as the said notification), the Central Government, in consultation with the
Government of Gujarat, hereby constitutes the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee-2 (SEAC-2) for
Gujarat (hereinafter referred to as the said Committee-2), for a period of three years comprising of the
following persons, namely:⸻
(1) Dr. Ashok kumar Saxena, Indian Forest Services (Retired.) Chairman;
Bungalow 38, Sector 8-A, Gandhinagar, Gujarat-382007.
(2) Shri Anil Lalitprasad Uniyal Member;
Senior Geologist (Retired.)
33E, Kripalu Nagar Society, Tarsali Susen Road, Vadodara-390010.
(3) Dr. Paras Mukundbhai Solanki Member;
Head of Geology Department,
M.G. Science Institute, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380009.
(4) Shri Dilipkumar Mohanlal Rathod, Member –Secretary.
Environment Engineer, Gujarat Pollution Control Board
Regional Office of Gujarat Pollution Control Board,
Plot No - H/3-A, Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation - 1,
Near Food Corporation of India godown, Modhera Road,
Mehsana – 384002.
2. The recommendations of the said committee-2, shall be taken into consideration by the Authority for its
decision.
3. The Chairman and Members of the said Committee-2, shall hold office for a term of three years from the
date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette.
4. In order to avoid any conflict of interest, -
(1) the Chairman and Members of the said Committee-2 shall,-
(a) declare to which consulting organisation they have been associated with and also the project
proponents;
(b) not undertake any consultation or association with regard to preparation of Environment Impact
Assessment and Environment Management Plan for project, which is to be decided by the Authority, or to
be appraised by the Committee during their tenure; and
(2) If in the preceding five years, the Chairman or any Member of the said Committee-2, has
provided consultancy services or conducted Environment Impact Assessment studies for any project
proponent, in that situation they shall recuse themselves from the meetings of the said Committee-2, from
the process of appraisal of any project proposed by such proponents.
5. The said Committee -2, shall exercise the powers and follow the procedures specified in the said
notification.
6. The State Level Expert Appraisal Committee -2 shall appraise or re-appraise only mining projects
pertaining to the State. The State Level Expert Appraisal Committee constituted vide S.O 2581(E), dated the
13th June, 2023 shall appraise or reappraise all other projects except mining.
7. The said Committee-2, shall function on the principle of collective responsibility and the Chairman shall
endeavour to reach consensus in each case, and if they fail to reach consensus the view of the majority shall
prevail.
8. The Government of Gujarat shall specify an agency to act as Secretariat of the said Committee-2 and the
Secretariat shall provide financial and logistic support including accommodation, transportation and such
other facilities in respect of its statutory functions.4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
9. The sitting fees, travelling allowances and dearness allowances to the Chairman and Members of the said
Committee-2, shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of relevant rules of the Government of Gujarat.
[F. No. IA3-13/4/2023-IA.III]
RAJAT AGARWAL, Jt.Secy.
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.