THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 60 days. The window to process applications for environmental clearance. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan gave the directions in this regard in a meeting held here to discuss issues related to quarry and construction sectors.
As per the existing rules, applications with regard to environmental clearance for quarries should be fast-tracked within 105 days. The meeting also decided to reduce the application fees for clearance. The revised fee structure stipulates Rs 5000 for quarries up to 10 acres. Another Rs 5000 should be levied for every additional 10 ares of land. At present, the fees for quarrying in an area below one hectare of land is Rs 75,000.
Pinarayi said the fee cut would give relief to small quarry owners. Further, it decided to consider revising the minimum distance from the boundary of a quarry to residential buildings, lakes and roads. In 2015, the government had fixed the distance at 100 metres.
Industries Minister A C Moideen, Chief Secretary S M Vijayanand, Environment Department additional chief secretary V S Senthil, Forest Department additional chief secretary P Marapandian and other officers were present.