Nod for industry in RRZs in line with central law: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis

MUMBAI: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has told ET that recent permissions given to industries to set up plants within two km of river regulatory zones (RRZs) are in accordance with the central environment protection regulations and these projects will not damage environment along the rivers as only those units which do not release any discharge into the river will be allowed in RRZs.

Speaking exclusively with ET, CM Devendra Fadnavis said, “We feel that the notification issued by the earlier government under the river regulatory zone was not in accordance with law. We took the advice of the law department on this issue. RRZ prevents location of industry within two km of rivers.

Under the Environment Protection Act of the central government, all chemical and other industry need to be environmentally appraised by the state environmental appraisal committee before getting a go ahead. However, the previous government in addition to national environmental policy, added one more layer. Because of this, even the engineering industry, which does not damage rivers with any discharge, was stopped from setting up plants in RRZs. We have now corrected this and allowed them to set up plants.

The decision immediately enables coal production in Penganga mine up to 3 million tones, thus easing coal shortage for Mahagenco thermal plants.

“We are not doing away with all the permissions that are required to set up projects. But we are only simplifying the process of taking permissions.This has been done in order to generate more employment especially in rural areas where the manufacturing sector's expansion will help economic growth. We have done a lot to change that perception. Most clearances required for setting up new projects have been simplified. We are talking about single-window clearances which have impressed investors and I see a positive reaction from them. We have told them you just come to Maharashtra, whatever you want -land, water supply, power, etc-everything will be provided. We want to encourage manufacturing in a big way,“ Fadnavis added.

The Maharashtra government's decision to do away with the RRZ-related notification has raised a controversy. Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress have alleged that the decision is pro-industry and it has been taken under pressure from certain groups.