Mumbai, Jan 02: In a major step towards implementing environmentally friendly policies for industries, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has included 850 industries in the White Category, alongside the categories of Red, Orange, Green, White and Blue.
The decision has been taken under the state government’s Ease of Doing Business policy and in accordance with the guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
No environmental fees, simplified registration process
“In February, the CPCB had included only 54 industrial establishments in the White Category. Subsequently, the MPCB included 222 industrial establishments. Now, this number has been increased to 850, and the full list has been published. These 850 industries will not be charged any environmental fees, which will provide a significant boost to home, cottage and small-scale industries. These establishments will only need to submit a one-page application for registration. Upon receipt of the application, they will be granted immediate online permission,” the MPCB said in its statement on Friday.
Permanent permissions to spur employment
MPCB Member Secretary Devender Singh said, “These 850 industries will no longer have to wait for environmental permits, as industries in this category will receive permanent permission for establishment with a single application, which will create significant employment opportunities.”
Maharashtra first to include such a large number
MPCB Chairman Siddhesh Kadam said, “The MPCB will be the first board in the country, and Maharashtra the first state, to include such a large number of industries in the White Category. Introducing 850 industries in the White Category will provide a significant boost to home-based industries, cottage industries and small-scale industries in both urban and rural areas, thereby accelerating the rural economy.”
Relief for household and cottage industries
“This step will provide relief to various small-scale industries operating at the household level, such as handmade jewellery making, environmentally friendly incense sticks and dhoop manufacturing, computer assembly, TV, VCR and tape recorder assembly industries, electrical and electronics bookbinding, cement pipe and mosaic tile manufacturing establishments, leather and footwear industries that do not involve chemical processing, papad industries, flour mills, spice blending and dried fish processing centres,” the MPCB added.
Background of White Category classification
The CPCB had issued directions under Section 18(1)(b) of the Water (P&CP) Act, 1974, and the Air (P&CP) Act, 1981, regarding harmonisation of classification of industrial sectors into Red, Orange, Green, White and Blue categories.
The CPCB developed a scoring methodology to classify industries based on the Pollution Index (PI), which is a function of water pollution, air pollution and hazardous waste generation.
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Based on this methodology, the CPCB classifies sectors under red, orange, green and other categories. In 2016, the CPCB introduced the White Category as a new category for sectors that are “practically non-polluting”.
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