Entrepreneurs are required to obtain Statutory Clearances relating to Pollution Control and Environment while setting up an Industrial Project. Central Pollution Control Board has specified list of industries requiring p

Entrepreneurs are required to obtain Statutory clearances relating to Pollution Control and Environment for setting up an industrial project, for various types of projects as listed, environmental clearance needs to be obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Government of India. This list includes industries like petrochemical complexes, petroleum refineries, cement, thermal power plants, bulk drugs, fertilizers, dyes, paper etc. The Central Pollution Control Board has specified list of industries as requiring a pollution license. The Ministry of Environment carries out this classification, Forest and Climate Change, to differentiate between industries with the highest pollution index and those with the lowest as follows: Red category: These industries have the highest pollution index, such as big manufacturing industries, large hotels, super speciality hospitals, etc. Orange category: These industries are relatively medium-sized enterprises, which still generates comparatively high levels of pollutants like cashew nut processing, coffee seed processing, pharmaceutical formulation. Green category: These are the industries with low pollution Index like small bakeries, storage of food grains, leather footwear, and products, cement products. White category: These are the industries with no pollution practically like Biscuit trays, rolled PVC sheet (using automatic vacuum forming machines) Industries categorized under Red, Orange and Green category are covered under consent management for obtaining Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) under The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Industries which fall under white category are exempted from obtaining consent under Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Industries and business under white category need to self-governed themselves and need to intimate various State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) within 30 days of commencement of their business. The White Category of industries has to however satisfy these condition to be eligible for this pollution license exemption:- The industry is being established in the locality demarcated for them; Their investment in the industry is not more than ₹ One Crore on plant and machinery; There will not be any discharge of trade effluent from the industry into stream or well or sewer or onto land and/or that industry will not discharge any air pollution including noise into the atmosphere; The industry will not discharge any toxic/hazardous wastes and will not handle any toxic/hazardous chemicals.