Experts for project appraisal based on carrying capacity

The first ever international convention on “Clean, green and sustainable technologies in iron and steel making” has suggested all investment proposals to be examined on the basis of the cumulative carrying capacity in terms of availability of land, water, mineral and energy resources.

It has also suggested for fixation of critical size for the plants for different types of process route and encouraging plants above the critical capacity in view of the evolving scenario where environmental and peripheral concerns are paramount.

“A critical size has to be defined in view of the evolving scenario where pollution, environmental and peripheral concerns are gaining force. Smaller units would slowly emerge as major polluters as they cannot adopt modern and safer technology due to the cost factor.

China has already set a benchmark, wherein units of less than 2 mtpa are being phased out”, Ashok Dalwai, secretary, steel and mines department of Orissa government said.

Dalwai, who also happened to be the co-chairman of the organising committee said, India has to choose a path to ensure sustainable industrial growth without compromising with environment.

Other recommendations pertained to the urgent need for shifting to technology based on carbon footprints and energy minimisation, adoption of energy audit and environmental audit by certified and competent agencies.

Similarly, it has suggested for promotion of technology based on carbon footprints and energy requirement minimisation.

While the existing industries have to transform themselves, new projects would have to adopt them from the beginning.

In its recommendation pertaining to the corporate social responsibility (CSR), rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) and peripheral development, it stated that effective organisational and infrastructure should be developed for effective implementation of CSR, R&R and peripheral development programmes.

While R&R should be treated as entitlement, land should be treated as a factor of production and the cost of peripheral development should be built into the project cost. Attempts should be made to measure and upgrade the living standards of the project displaced persons.

Moreover, top priority should be given for improvement of the displaced persons.

Among the recommendations pertaining to the policy guidelines, the convention has recommended for creation of an advisory body to facilitate proper technology adoption by investment bodies with a special focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Steps need to be taken to institutionalise the annual meet of academia, technologists and the investors. The recommendations would be submitted to the state and Central governments to assist in policy formulation and execution of guidelines, he added.