New Delhi, 15 July, 2014: “We commend the Ministry of Environment and Forests for the timely launch of the web portal for online submission of proposals for forest clearances. This is a remarkable step towards bringing about transparency, accountability and effectiveness in the forest clearance process. This will ensure that the process becomes time-bound and will reduce delays to critical projects. This is a step that industry has been looking forward to and is an important starting point to bring a transformational shift in government clearances. It is also a step towards enhancing the ease of doing business. FICCI has been working closely with the government on this and we believe any step that ensures timely approvals will improve the economic environment, said Mr Sidharth Birla, FICCI President.
“The general approvals that the Minister announced for diversion of forest land for roads in the border areas, strategic facilities in 100 kilometers of line of control, 117 Maoist affected districts for roads and other development projects, and extending general approvals for transmission lines of 220 kv to 1250 kv lines are remarkable decisions that will ensure speedy project implementation in sensitive and strategic areas of national interest. This only goes to demonstrate the government’s serious intent in removing bottlenecks to critical projects”, Mr Birla added further.