DMP MP Andimuthu Raja has given an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha, demanding discussion on draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2020 and its impact on sustainable development on Tuesday.
The regulatory framework for Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) 2020 lays down a process to assess possible environmental impacts of industrial, mining and infrastructural projects before approving or rejecting its environmental viability. Several environmentalists and organisations have alleged that the draft notification does away with the requirement for public consultation for a number of projects which could affect the environment adversely. This step to promote commercial interests at the cost of ecological balance has been criticed by general public and the opposition alike.
The Karnataka High Court had extended the date for sending in public comments for the draft since the period for public comments coincided with the national lockdown in lieu of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also ordered that the draft be made available in all the 22 official languages under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
