Green panel suggests reducing the role of inspectors to ease development

A high-level committee formed to review green laws has recommended the reduction of the role of inspectors in approving plans and monitoring air and water pollution.

The panel formed in August, gave its recommendation report to Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday, said it had suggested measures to preserve the environment but at the same time make development much easier. Referring to the suggestions by the committee as a "historic" achievement, Javadekar said his ministry will complete its consultation process in the shortest possible time and will move ahead.

"We have tried to give some recommendations..in the air and water pollution areas, the accountability is low and the systems are not well in place. The processes are long.

"We have tried to reduce inspector raj, bring a system where the project proponents makes a commitment and they are enforced with the use of science and technology. So the environment improves and project processes also get improved," Former Cabinet secretary and panel chief T S R Subramanian told reporters.