House panel starts review of Subramanian committee report on environment laws

Experts had expressed reservations, which led to the House panel undertaking a review of the report

Parliamentary standing committee on science & technology, environment & forests, chaired by Rajya Sabha member Ashwani Kumar, has begun a review of the T S R Subramanian committee report. The panel had recommended overhaul of six environmental laws.

Kumar said several environmental experts had deposed before the committee on Friday, said, "Several reservations relating to the recommendations made in the report have been expressed by experts." This led the committee to undertake its review, he said. "These reservations essentially arise out of an apprehension that the recommendations, if implemented, could dilute the laws designed to protect our environment, forests and wildlife," Kumar added. He said the deliberations had only begun and did not confirm if the committee would be able to firm up its views in the form of a report before the Budget session of Parliament.

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar had earlier said the government was also considering the report and was expected to bring amendments to existing green laws in the Budget session of Parliament.

Kumar, on his part, set aside any concerns about the parliamentary committee having jumped the gun in reviewing a report which had not been formally accepted by the government as yet. "There has been a lot of disquiet and concern expressed through media reports for a while on the recommendations. It was considered advisable for the committee to apprise itself of the views of experts, activists and stakeholders. The government would only gain from additional points of view," he added. He noted an overwhelming number of people had reportedly raised concerns about the haste with which the committee had finalised its views on revision of six green laws.

The parliamentary standing committee is also slated to review concerns on Saturday about the discolouration of the Taj Mahal , in a meeting with experts and officials from the Centre and the state. Besides, it is slated to meet experts on civil nuclear energy in Mumbai on January 30-31 to review assessments that India is far behind on its targets to produce nuclear energy.

The panel will also visit Visakhapatnam and Ludhiana to assess the impact of rapid and unplanned urbanisation on the environment in Tier-II towns.