The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, (MPCB) on July 11, 2024, issued a notification regarding the Clarification for Consent Management of Infrastructure project which is handed over to Society.
The Board grants Consent to Operate/Renewal of Consent under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and Authorization under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (M & TM) Rules, 2016, for infrastructure and housing projects. As per the revised delegation of powers for consent management dated 23.12.2020, consent applications are processed based on capital investment: up to Rs 25 Cr by the Regional Officer, Rs 25-100 Cr by the Head of the Department, Rs 100-750 Cr by the Consent Committee, and above Rs 750 Cr by the Consent Appraisal Committee.
It has been decided that for renewal of consent for infrastructure/housing projects handed over to Co-Op housing societies, the consent fees would be based on the capital investment for the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), Organic Waste Converter (OWC) with composting, Biodigester with composting for solid waste treatment, and the annual maintenance cost of these facilities and D.G. sets. This led to a circular issued on January 02, 2024, revising consent fees. Consequently, societies apply for renewal with decreased capital investment, but applications are pending as they are submitted to HQ.
Henceforth, such applications should follow the delegation of powers from December 23, 2020. The capital investment for delegation purposes will now consider only the STP, OWC, Biodigester, and related maintenance costs instead of the entire project cost. Applications with capital investment up to Rs 25 Cr will be dealt with by the Regional Officer, Rs 25-100 Cr by the Head of the Department, Rs 100-750 Cr by the Consent Committee, and above Rs 750 Cr by the Consent Appraisal Committee. This circular is effective immediately.
[Notification No. MPCB/JD(WPC)/TB-3/B-240711 FTS 0331]
