States asked to revisit NoC for industrial power connection

Concerned over new industrial projects hit due to delay in getting electricity connection, the Centre has asked state Pollution Control Boards to revisit the mandatory requirement of 'No Objection Certificate (NoC) for such projects for improving 'ease of doing business'.
The requirement of 'NoC' or 'Consent to Establish (CTE)' certificate has been mandated by many states on their own although such a condition has not been specified under any guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board, said a latest order issued by the Union Environment Ministry.
"Since in some of the states, the pre-requisite of CTE certificate for release of electricity connection does not exist, other states and Union Territories may consider revisiting their provision in this regard for improving 'Ease of doing Business' in the states/UTs," the order said.

In many states, Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) and Pollution Control Committees have made it mandatory to obtain the CTE certification as a pre-requisite for getting the industrial electricity connection for establishment of new industries/projects.
"Further, this requirement of CTE certificate varies from state to state with regards to submission/processing of application and grant/release of the electricity connection.
"As a result, establishment of upcoming projects and overall industrial development in the concerned state is adversely affected," it said.
The NDA government has been taking several measures to remove green hurdles that have been blocking many development projects in the country.