Sunday, October 01, 2006

Sept 20th

September 20 - Giving major relief to sawmills located in
Haryana, the state Forests Department has decided to make fresh
assessment of timber available and required in the State.
The Haryana Minister of State for Forests, Mrs. Kiran Choudhry
informed that the license to wood based units would be granted on the basis of assessment made by the Department. She said that as per the judgement of the Supreme Court, 1424 wood based industries established after October 30, 2002 had been closed in the State out of which 1100 were saw mills. She further stated that most of these saw mills were located in the remote rural areas of the State and a number of these were being carried out as family businesses.
Mrs. Choudhry said that many of such mills did not possess any
document to give the evidence of the date of their establishment. On
the request of the State Government, the Central Empowered Committee
formed by Supreme Court took a lenient view with regard to the grant
of license. It was also granted that for units located in rural areas, the State Committee could grant license to such units if it was convinced about the genuineness of the case. This step would go a long way in giving major relief to saw mills located in rural areas of Haryana, added the minister.

Sept 21st

Chandigarh, Sept 21 – The Haryana State Pollution Control Board has
invited suggestions, views, comments and objections from the concerned public for the proposed Kundli-Manesar Express Way to be constructed in the districts of Sonepat, Jhajjar, Gurgoan, Mewat and Faridabad within 30 days. While stating this here today, a spokesman of the Board said that environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests was needed for the construction of this Express- Way. The Haryana State Pollution Control Board would also conduct public hearings on October 23 and 24 so as to obtain views, suggestions and objections of the nearby public on the proposed project. He said that the public hearing for the development of Kundli-Manesar Palwal Express-Way at district Sonepat, Jhajjar, and Gurgaon would be conducted near the concerned Deputy Commissioners' offices on October 23 and for the development of Kundli-Manesar Palwal Express-Way at district Mewat and Faridabad nearby Deputy Commissioners' offices on October 24.
He said that the copies of executive summary of the project and EIA
study report was available in the offices of Deputy Commissioners of
district Gurgaon, Faridabad, Sonepat, Mewat and Jhajjar,environmental
Engineers of Haryana State Pollution Control Board of the districts of Gurgaon, Faridabad, Sonepat, Bahadurgarh and Ballabhgarh. The same had also been made available in the office of Zila Parishad of districts Gurgaon, Faridabad, Sonepat, Mewat and Jhajjar and Municipal Committee of Gurgaon, Faridabad, Sonepat, Mewat and Jhajjar which could be persued during office hours on any working day. The suggestions or objections could be filed to the Chairman, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Panchkula within 30 days. The public hearings could also be attended by any person including the bonafide residents.

Sept 30th

Chandigarh, September 30 - Haryana State Pollution Control
Board has excluded from the purview of the Environment Impact
Assessment notification the building projects of upto 20,000 sq.
meters of built up area, according to a notification issued by Union
Ministry of Environment and Forests.
While stating this today, the Chairman of the Haryana State
Pollution Control Board, Mr. Sameer Mathur said that more relief has
been given to the electroplating industries, which are not required to
obtain environmental clearance under the new notification No. SO 1533
dated September 14., 2006. Similarly, foundry units of upto five
tonnes per hour capacity would also not required to obtain
environmental clearance.
He said that there would be no requirement of public hearing for
building and construction projects and for the industrial projects
located within approved industrial estates or parks.
He said that there were 39 categories of projects divided in eight
major heads, which have been included in the notification dated
September 14, 2006 as per the schedule of the notification and
required environmental clearance either from the Central Government or
at State level from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority
and State Level Authority (SEIAA). He said that SEIAA and State Level
Expert Appraisal Committee were being constituted for this purpose.
He said that the full text of the prior environment clearance
notification No. SO 1533 dated September 14, 2006 has been made
available on the website of the Union Ministry of Environment and
Forests that is www.enfor.nic.in and on the website of the Haryana
State Pollution Control Board that is www.hspcb.gov.in. This
notification has superceded the earlier environment assessment
notification No. SO 60 (E) dated January 27, 1994, which had so for
governed the subject of prior environment clearance.
The new notification has details or orders and directions regarding
legal requirement and procedures for obtaining prior environmental
clearance for projects and activities, both new and expanding or
modernizing as listed in the schedule of notification.

Monday, September 18, 2006

Aug 7, Sept 16 and Sept 17

August 7 - The Haryana Government has sent a proposal of Rs 10 crore to the Union Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Source for setting up of a renewable energy training institute at Maharishi
Dayanand University, Rohtak. This was disclosed by the Deputy Chief Minister, MR. Chander Mohan who holds the portfolio of Renewable
Energy Department also. He said that in this institute the training would be imparted to the youth for the repair, operation and maintenance of renewable sources of energy and solar system.
Mr. Chander Mohan said that efforts were being made to popularize the Solar System in the State. He said that the solar heating system was being installed of 100 litre capacity to meet the requirement of hot water in the delivery huts being set up by the Health Department in the rural areas and the precess of installing solar heater system had been started in 120 delivery huts. A sum of Rs 32 lakh had been earmarked during the current financial year for this purpose, he
added. The Deputy Chief Minister said that the scheme was also being chalked out for installing solar street lights in those villages where the population belonging to scheduled castes were more than 50 per cent and the proposal had been prepared for Ambala, Panchkula and Yamunanagar districts. An amount of Rs 3.82 crore had been earmarked for this purpose. Out of this, Rs 1.42 crore would be provided by the Non-conventional Energy Source Department, Government
of India and the remaining amount would be provided by the Union Social Justice and Empowerment Department. Mr. Chander Mohan maintained that with a view to apprise the people about the applications of renewable sources of energy in their villages, a scheme had been launched besides to motivate the students, eclamation
contest, painting competition and race would be organized on the occasion of Rajiv Gandhi Birth Anniversary on August 20, 2006 in all the district. The Deputy Chief Minister said that a scheme had been
launched by the department for promoting of renewable energy programme in the villages and Gram Panchayats would be awarded under the scheme at block, district and state level. He said that at block level a sum of Rs 10,000 and a certificate of appreciation, at
district level, there would be two prizes of Rs 25,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively, besides a certificate of appreciation. Similarly, at the state level, three awards would be given of Rs two lakh, one lakh and 50,000 respectively and a shield. Mr. Chander Mohan revealed that during the current financial year, a sum of Rs 7.9 crore had been earmarked to implement a number of schemes launched
by Renewable Energy Department. Out of this, Rs 5.95 crore would be spent under state budget plan while a sum of Rs 1.95 crore would be incurred under the Central Sponsored Schemes. He said that department had also envisaged a plan of generating 500 MW of power by
2012 based on various renewable energy sources. The Deputy Chief Minister said that the department had also chalked out a plan to install solar energy system in the 'Hemlets' of Morni block of district Panchkula where it was difficult to install the grid
power system`. He said that in the first phase 45 cluster of villages had been electrified through solar energy system at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore out of this Rs 1.46 crore were made available by the Central Government as subsidy. He said that a scheme had also been forwarded to the Union Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources costing Rs 1.65 crore for approval to electrify 149 'Hemlets' of Morni block.

September 16 - The Haryana State Pollution Control Board in association with the Forest Department has decided to organise 'Paryavaran Chetna Yatra' during this fortnight upto September 30 to create awareness among people about the preservation and protection of environment. While stating this here today, a spokesman of the Board said that Paryavaran Chetna Yatra and Haryana Pustak Parikarma were being organised by the Forest Department, National Book Trust, New Delhi and Union Ministry of Human Resources Development, Department of Secondary and Higher Education in the districts of Ambala, Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Karnal,Sonipat, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Gurgaon and Faridabad upto October 15. Plays would also be organised in the districts of Ambala, Panchkula, Yamunagar, Karnal, Sonipat and Panipat.
He said that street shows based on social awareness on environmental related matters including ban on use of plastic carry bags would also be organised. Initially, ten shows would be conducted in the districts of Panchkula and Ambala to create awareness about the environment related issues. One such show would be held tomorrow evening at Yavnika, Panchkula, he added.

Sept 17- Haryana Government has decided to set up Renewable Energy Clubs in nine engineering colleges in the State so as to create awareness about new and renewable energy sources, their systems and devices among the students. While stating this here today, Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Chander Mohan said that these clubs would organise seminars, workshops, lecturers, quiz and competitions in slogan and essay writing and poster making on renewable energy for students. The Central Government has provided a grant of Rs 2.25 lakh to set up these clubs. He said that a State level Rajiv Gandhi Renewable Energy Park was being set up in Gurgaon at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore to create awareness among the people about renewable energy devices and technologies through demonstration of working models. A financial assistance of over Rs 72.66 lakh would be provided by the Central Government for the project. He said that there was a plan to set up six more district level energy parks at Faridabad, Kaithal, Bhiwani, Gurgaon, Rohtak and Jind at a cost of Rs 40 lakh during the current year. As many as 13 such energy parks have already been set up. He said that the State Government has also forwarded to the Central Government a project to set up a Renewable Energy Training Institute at Maharishi Dayanand University campus in Rohtak at a cost of Rs 10 crore for its approval. It aimed at creating infrastructure for imparting training to unemployed entrepreneurs in the operation, repair, maintenance and testing facilities in the field of solar thermal, solar photovoltaic and biomass gasifier.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

july6

Chandigarh, July 6 - The Haryana State Pollution Control Board will organise "on the spot camps" in various parts of the State for faster and expeditious disposal of consent cases to provide greater relief to industrial units. This was revealed by Mr. Samir Mathur, Chairman of the Board. He stated that under this campaign, camps
were organized at the regional offices in Panchkula, Bahadurgarh, Panipat, Yamunanagar, Hisar, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ballabhgarh and Sonipat in June, 2006. He informed that 628 consent cases were disposed off in the presence of industrialists. He stated that earlier, the consent to industries was given every year. He stated that the units had to come to the Board's office for getting these clearance certificates for air and water pollution. But, he said, now consent was given in the regional offices for which due ublicity was arranged for. He stated that consent was given to non-polluting industries like textile industries sans washing activities for 10 years. He stated that consent was given for five years to less polluting industries like garment industries involving washing works. He further added that consent was also given to polluting industries like chemical industries for two years whereas to highly polluting industries, consent was given for one year. He stated that such a move of holding camps at the regional level was unprecedented. He also interacted with the representatives of industrial units and advised them to abide by all environmental laws and rules. Mr. Mathur revealed that 372 consents were granted
for more than one year for providing greater relief to industries. He stated that more "on the spot camps" would be organized in the month of October or November, 2006. Moreover, industrial units could get familiar with the new industrial policy of the State and also with that of the Environment Department in these interactive sessions. The Chairman informed that the camps would be followed by technical workshops for different categories of industries to be organized by specialist agencies like National Productivity Council, TERI and Punjab State Council for Science and Technology etc.

june 28

Chandigrh, June 28 - Haryana State Pollution Control Board has introduced digital cameras in its functioning to bring
more transparency and efficiency for conducting inspections, surveillance and sampling, especially in the areas of
environmental degradation or land degradation due to unscientific and indiscriminate mining activities.
While stating this here today, a spokesman of Haryana State Pollution Control Board said that 12 digital
cameras having a provision of limited video facility have been purchased and these would be provided at its all nine
regional offices in the field and at head office. The photographic data would be digitally transferred to computers through
the network and this system would be economical to generate or store data using digital cameras.

april 25

April 25 - The Haryana Government will restore the Bibipur Lake in district Kurukshetra in a phased manner with a view to optimum use of surplus rain water, recharging of ground water and utilise
the saved water in additional area of Western Yamuna Canal Command. This decision was taken in a meeting of the Irrigation Department held under the chairmanship of the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda here today. Among others, who attended the meeting included the Haryana Irrigation Minister, Capt. Ajay
Singh Yadav, Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Irrigation, Mr. N. Bala Bhaskar and senior officers of the Irrigation Department . The Chief Minister said that during the first phase a sum of Rs. 19.96 crore would be spent and farmers of about 100 villages would be benefitted by the restoration of the lake besides providing irrigation facilities to 50450 acres of land. He directed the officers of the Irrigation Department to chalk out a compact plan of water bodies prevailing in the State including Bhindawas Lake, Kotla Lake and Masani Barrage etc so that maximum rain water going waste could be harvested. The Chief Minister said that with the restoration of the lake, the land would be recharged. He said that it would also reduce the power consumption also. The Chief Minister said that in the II phase of the Bibipur Lake the level of the lake would be raised to 822 ft at a cost of Rs. 77.30 crore . He said that besides using the surplus rain water which was otherwise going waste, the renovation of the lake would help in flood protection scheme, groundwater recharging, use of saving water in aditional area of West Jamuna Canal Command and irrigate the area during kharif. Mr. Hooda informed that he would soon meet the Chairman of NABARD in the next month at Mumbai to seek the financial assistance for the ongoing and new
irrigation projects. While giving the details of the restoration of the Bibipur lake project , the Irrigation Minister, Capt.
Ajay Singh Yadav said that this lake was a traditional natural body and it would tap flood waters of river Tangri, Markanda, SYL Canal and Bhakra through Narwana Branch and Saraswati Crack. He said that it would also help in raising the sub soil water level of the area. He said that the Government of India had decided
that the water bodies directly linked with the agriculture should be restored throughout the country. As per this policy, it has been decided to take up the restoration of the Bibipur Lake in a
phased manner. The work on the Bibipur lake was being taken up on priority basis as this lake was ideally located and known as the gold mine of rain water harvesting, said the Minister. Capt. Yadav said that the lake is spread over an area of 5000 acres and having a storage capacity of 24800 acres feet. He said that the lake was located in eleven villages namely Bibipur, Murtazapur, Bhor, Takoran, Gari Roran, Mukimpura, Indwari, Surmi, Chhalloan, Shamspur and Mundakhera . After renovation, if the lake was filled up to rain level of 816 ft, it will provide 280 cusecs of irrigation water for 75 days which was adequate to mature the rice crop of the area, the Minister added. The Engineer-in-Chief, Mr.J.S.Ahlawat apprised the Chief Minister that efforts were being made to restore Bhindawas Lake in Jhajjar district also and it would be made fit to store rain water during the ensuing monsoon season.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

June 23

Chandigarh, June 23 - The Haryana Government is formulating a new forest policy which will be implemented very soon in the State. The Haryana Minister of State for Forests, Mrs. Kiran Choudhry disclosed this today while talking to media persons after laying the foundation stone of a multipurpose hall at Baya Tourist Complex in Bhiwani
to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 56.38 lakh. Mrs. Choudhry stated that a massive campaign would be launched by the Forests Department to encourage the people to participate in tree plantation programmes. She added that various cultural, educational and other competitive programmes would be organized in the rural areas to inspire the local people to contribute towards making such campaigns a huge success. She
revealed that a state level 'Van Mahotsav' would be organized on July 15 in Bhiwani where a massive tree plantation programme would be initiated on this day. In reply to a question, the Forests Minister stated that any irregularity on the part of any officer in
the implementation of the tree plantation programme would be dealt strongly and a stern action would be taken against such erring officers. In reply to another question, Mrs. Choudhry informed that two drains, involving an expenditure of Rs 27 crore, would soon be constructed in the district. She disclosed that Bhiwani-Ghaggar drain would be constructed at an expenditure of Rs 21 crore whereas the construction of Mitathal-Ghuskani drain would incur an expenditure of Rs 6 crore. The completion of these drains would help in protecting the area during floods, besides helping in raising the level of ground water table. She disclosed that water from these drains would also be used in irrigation of arid areas. In reply to a question pertaining to the agitation of the workers of Bhiwani Municipal Council, the Forests Minister stated that it was the responsibility of
every individual to keep the city clean and green. She urged the agitating workers to forego their strike and return back to work. She gave an assurance to the workers that she would fight for their genuine demands. She also disclosed that the State Government
had formulated a new scheme for strengthening the sewerage disposal system in the city and this scheme would be implemented soon, she added.

June 20

CHANDIGARH, June 20 - A remote sensing study is being conducting to know the actual degradation of environment due to indiscriminate mining in Yamuna river bed area in district Yamunanagar and degradation of fragile ecology in the areas of Aravali hills in the districts of Gurgaon and Faridabad. While stating this here today, a spokesman of Haryana State Pollution Control Board said that the task of study has been assigned to Haryana Remote Sensing Centre at Hisar. He said that Haryana has become the first state in the country where all schools have eco clubs. Each officer of the Board has adopted an eco club school to educate the students about ill effects of environment
pollution and how to keep environment free from pollution. The students of eco clubs are taken to polluting industries from time to time so as to apprise them about industrial pollution. Regional Officers have been advised to visit schools or colleges to create awareness among the students about clean environment by delivering talks or screening of films.

CHANDIGARH, June 20 - The Haryana State Pollution Control Board has issued instructions to all concerned agencies relating to industries not to ask for No
Objection Certificate (NOC) of the Board from green category of industries, which are not covered under the policy notification of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board of July 24, 1998. While stating this here today, a spokesman of the Board said that a decision to this effect has been taken in view of the new industrial policy of the
State Government. He said that the concerned agencies included Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam, Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam, Haryana State Industrial and
Infrastructure Development Corporation, Haryana Urban Development Authority, Town and Country Planning Department and Haryana Financial Corporation. He said that these agencies have been urged by the Board to issue necessary directions to their field offices accordingly. Apart from the State Industries Department, all Industrial Associations including Punjab, Haryana and Delhi Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Faridabad Industrial Association , Gurgaon Industrial Association and Haryana Chamber of
Commerce and Industries have been informed about the decision taken by the Board.
He said that the Board had simplified the form of No Objection Certificate which would be applicable for all NOC cases as per the new industrial policy of the State Government. The simplified NOC form has been made available on the website of the Board and is also available on the counter of the Board's office at Panchkula and all regional offices. The Board has also put the NOC status on line on its website for the benefit of entrepreneurs. The work to provide the facility of on line NOC and consent would be completed in next two months. It would help the industry to apply for NOC and consent of the Board on line.

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Releases of June 5- World Environment Day

Chandigarh, June 5 - Haryana Government is considering a proposal to ban manufacture of coloured plastic bags in the state as a part of the number of steps being taken to keep environment free from pollution. In a message issued here today on the occasion of
World Environment Day, Chief Minister, Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that the proposal to ban manufacture of plastic coloured bags aimed at saving degradation of land caused due to indiscriminate disposal of plastic carry bags, especially the coloured carry bags which were generally less than 20 microns as these were manufactured out of the waste plastic coming from wastes of hospital and other such areas. Mr Hooda urged the people to cooperate in keeping the environment free from pollution. He said that all
polluting industrial units have been persuaded by the Haryana Pollution Control Board to install pollution control devices and 6510 such devices have been installed by the end of last month. A financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh has been provided to Urban Development Department for installation of Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) for slaughter houses. The
farmers were being educated not to burn paddy straw in open field.

He said that Haryana State Pollution Control Board has been displaying the status of No Objection Certificate on its website for the benefit of the entrepreneurs. The Board has simplified the procedure for grant of consent or No objection Certificate and issuing consent for longer period ranging from two years to 10 years instead of one year earlier.
He said that powers to grant consent to operate have been decentralised. The Member Secretary of the Board could grant consent in case of 19 and six additional categories of industries having an investment of above Rs. one crore for plant and machinery and also for 17 categories having an investment of upto Rs. one crore. In case of small scale industries,Class 1 officers of Head office have been delegated similar powers. The new industrial policy of the State Government was being implemented by the Board so as to make itself industrial friendly.

The remote sensing study was being got conducted from Haryana Remote Sensing Application Centre, Hisar for mapping of Aravali hills area in Gurgaon and Faridabad
districts and river bed mining in Yamuna in Yamunanagar district. As many as 37 laboratories have been recognised to facilitate the industries in getting their samples of effluent and air emissions tested. Industries generating hazardous waste have been persuaded to form a society. They were in the process of installing common hazardous waste disposal facility at Faridabad. The financial assistance has been provided for installation of common effluent treatment plant at sector 37, Gurgaon for electoplating units shifted from non-confronting area to industrial area. All electroplating units
operating in residential area have been shifted to approved industrial area in Faridabad and Common Effluent Treatment Plant has been got installed. He said that small scale green category of industries which were not covered under policy notification of the Pollution Control Board dated July 24, 1998, were no longer required to obtain no
objection certificate from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board. The Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam, Town and Country Planning Department, HUDA, Haryana Financial Corporation and Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation have been instructed not to insist on no
objection certificate of the Board while granting permission or license or connection to them. He said that 2850 eco clubs have been set up in schools to involve school children for creating awareness about pollution free environment.