Srinagar: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has welcomed the decision of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF), Government of India, to amend the Uniform Consent Guidelines under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, terming the move a much-needed reform aimed at streamlining industrial approvals, reducing delays, and easing compliance-related complexities.
The Federation has appealed to J&K Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Javid Ahmad Rana, to ensure the swift implementation of the amended guidelines in Jammu and Kashmir. FCIK said the revised framework strikes a balance between environmental protection and industrial growth, and is expected to restore investor confidence while supporting sustainable industrial operations across the Union Territory.
FCIK also urged the Industries and Commerce Department to delink industrial incentives from Pollution Control consents, particularly for units located in notified industrial estates. The Chamber said linking incentives to Pollution Control Committee (PCC) approvals and other no-objection certificates (NOCs) has been a major deterrent, forcing many units either to forgo benefits or face prolonged procedural delays. It stressed that delinking incentives is now essential to ensure smooth industrial operations under the amended law.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced the amendments on Wednesday, introducing several changes to provisions that were widely regarded by industry as harsh, cumbersome, and compliance-heavy. These provisions had added to procedural complexities and caused avoidable delays, adversely affecting both the timely implementation of projects and the smooth functioning of existing industrial units. The revised framework seeks to address these concerns by rationalising compliance requirements, reducing regulatory bottlenecks, and ensuring greater operational certainty, while continuing to uphold essential environmental safeguards.
FCIK said the amended framework, with its emphasis on trust-based governance, reduced timelines, and continuity of operations, addresses many long-standing concerns repeatedly raised by the industry.
The decision, the Federation said, vindicates its consistent stand that several provisions of the earlier consent regime were in contradiction to the stated objective of “Ease of Doing Business,” particularly due to stringent and repetitive compliance requirements.
Under the revised guidelines, industrial units located within organised industrial estates will be deemed to have obtained consent upon submission of an online application with self-certification. This reform is expected to significantly reduce procedural delays and uncertainty, especially for micro and small enterprises.
The Federation welcomed this provision, noting that such industrial estates are established by the government only after securing the requisite clearances from the Pollution Control Board or Committee.
FCIK also hailed the removal of the requirement for periodic renewals of Consent to Operate (CTO), stating that once granted, the consent will now remain valid indefinitely unless cancelled due to violations.
The Federation observed that this measure would provide substantial relief to micro and tiny units—including wooden fruit box manufacturers, furniture units, the cricket bat industry, and numerous small-scale enterprises—by reducing compliance burden, paperwork, and uncertainty associated with frequent renewals.
FCIK further noted that the introduction of consolidated consent and authorisation, perpetual validity of CTO, reduced processing timelines, extension of consent fee validity from five to 25 years, a uniform definition of capital investment, and the option of third-party verification through registered environmental auditors will collectively and significantly ease compliance for industries while maintaining robust environmental safeguards.
The Federation urged its constituents and affiliated associations across all ten districts of the Kashmir Valley to disseminate information about the amended guidelines among unit holders to ensure wider awareness and effective implementation.
