The document outlines important amendments made to India's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations over time. Key amendments include: - 1994 made it mandatory for projects to obtain an Environmental Clearance certificate and established the EIA agency. - 1997 introduced public hearings for projects. 2003 required more studies and inspections for assessments. - 2006 regulations divided projects into two categories requiring clearance from central or state governments. It also decentralized some processes. - The new 2020 draft is disputed as it allows post-facto approval, reduces time for public consultation, relaxes monitoring requirements, and could allow projects up to 150,000 sq meters to avoid scrutiny.

1. Important Amendments of EIA 1994
Year
1994 Govt made it mandatory to obtain EC Certificate
Est of Environmental Impact Agency(EIA)
April 1997 Govt. Introduced Public Hearing
Feb 2003 Govt. Introduced more studies, research and inspection of projects
for better assessment.
Aug 2003 & Sept 2003 Biodiversity Act 2002 &
July 2005 Govt. Introduced Temporary working permit for 2 years without EC
2006 New EIA 2006 notification was drafted

2. Important Amendments of EIA 2006
notifications
Divided the projects in 2 Categories:-
a. Category A - Requires EC from Central Govt.
b. Category B - Requires EC from State Govt.
i B1 – Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports are to be made
Ii B2 – exempted from EIA process
2. 2006 draft was on the basis of size or capacity of the project and not on the level of
investment.
3. Public consultation was allowed only after EIA report is submitted.
4. Decentralized a lot of process to the State Govt.

3. Key points of dispute or concern with the new EIA
2020 draft
1. Post-facto approval : EC will be granted even if the construction has started or its in running
phase as Govt. does not want to halt the development & hurt the economy.
2. Public consultation process : Time period for public to submit responses during hearing is
reduced from 30days to 20days
3. Relaxation of monitoring requirements/ compliances: In 2006 notification, compliance report is
to be submitted for every 6 months which is reduced to once a year in 2020 draft.
4. Gaming the system/ loopholes: Projects up to 1,50,000 sq. metres (previously 2,0000 sq. metres)
Does not need the detailed scrutiny by expert committee nor the need EIA studies or Public
consultation.