Can’t agree to many recommendations of EIA draft notification 2020: Kerala CM

Thiruvananthapuram: (news.kvartha.com 11.08.2020) Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today said that the State cannot agree with many of the recommendations of the EIA draft notification 2020.  Kerala informed its stance to the central Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) Today.

 The draft Environmental Impact Assessment notification will have far-reaching and adverse effects on our State and a final decision should only be reached after more effective discussions with all parties concerned. In addition to this, some changes are required based on the particular circumstances of the state. This should be examined and be factored in, the Chief Minister said while briefing the media about the response of the state to the EIA draft.

The state is concerned about the changes mainly related to the mining/quarrying permits. In the case of B1 medium category, environmental clearance is required for permitting mining/quarrying in an area exceeding five hectares to one hundred hectares. The state wants the lower limit to be brought down from five hectares to be two hectares. That is, environmental clearance should be required when mining/quarrying activities are permitted on more than two hectares. The existing norms will continue for small quarries of less than two hectares.

 Similarly, Kerala has expressed its concern over the reduction in the time allowed for public hearings before approving projects to 20 days in the new draft notification. The state wants it to be retained at the earlier 30 days. Such a short period of time is not enough in many places.

 The District Environmental Impact Assessment Committees were the system for conducting detailed inspections before approving small projects. Apart from this, these district-level committees play a crucial role in handling applications at the state level. These committees are being exempted from the EIA draft notification. Kerala wants to retain the district level committees.

 Distribution of Onam grocery kits to begin on August 13

 The Chief Minister today announced that the distribution of the Onam kit consisting of 11 grocery items will commence on Thursday August 13, 2020. About 88 lakhs ration cardholders in the state would get this gift from the government.

 The CM said, “The work of preparing the kits is underway at 2,000 packing centres with the help of volunteers, who check the quality and weight. This will help us to overcome the difficulties and delay encountered in the delivery of goods in the wake of the recent floods. The State Civil Supplies Department, Supplyco will pack the kits and deliver them to the ration shops. The kit will have products worth around Rs 500.”

 In the first phase, the Onam kits will be distributed to 5.95 lakhs families belonging to the Antyodaya category (yellow Ration cards) on August 13, 14 and 16. Kits for priority category (pink cards) will be distributed on August 19, 20, 21 and 22. There are about 31 lakhs priority cardholders in the State. Kits will also be distributed to the remaining 51 lakh families (blue and white cards) before Onam. Ration cardholders will be able to procure these kits from the same ration shop from where they purchased the ration in July.

Onam markets will be set up at all district headquarters from August 21 for a period of 10 days. In addition, non-priority cardholders will be able to buy 10 kg special rice @ Rs 15 per kg from ration shops from August 13.

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