CPCB Revises Pollution Index for White Category Industries
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
- ▶
Pollution Index Threshold: BEFORE: The White category included industries with a Pollution Index up to 20. NOW: The threshold has been increased to include industries with a Pollution Index up to 25.
- ▶
Consent Requirements: BEFORE: Industries with a PI between 21 and 25 fell under the Green category and required formal CTE and CTO from state boards. NOW: These industries fall under the White category and only need to submit a basic intimation to the State Pollution Control Board.
- ▶
Green Category Range: BEFORE: The Green category spanned a PI from 21 to 40. NOW: The lower bound of the Green category effectively shifts to 26, reducing the regulatory compliance burden on borderline low-impact units.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
Correct Statement(s)Consider the following statements regarding the categorization of industries by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): 1. The Pollution Index (PI) assigns a score from 0 to 100 based on the potential for air emissions, water effluents, and hazardous waste generation. 2. Industries classified under the 'White' category are exempted from obtaining Consent to Operate (CTO) under the Water Act, 1974 and Air Act, 1981. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?