Feedback to the Group of Ministers for Bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and Creation of Telangana State

The Partition of Andhra Pradesh & Road map for Seema-Andhra

Here are some points that will acts as a foot hold for Group of Ministers (GoM) to resolve the critical issues on bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

The biggest problem for Andhra region is its new capital. Prior to 1953 Kurnool had been a capital to this region, but now it’s no where now to fit as capital for Andhra state.

The Rayalaseema region should not let this chance to realize its rightful demands for more funds and resources. The Sir Bag agreement should be entrusted with higher priority.

Capital Issue:

Instead of being a single capital like the state of J&K we have to go for two capital approach one is in Rayalaseema and other is in Costal Andhra. The best cities to realize this issue is Kurnool or Tirupathi in Seema and Vishakhapatnam in Andhra region. Both will be developed as an equal approach with centralized planning. The Union government has to provide resources for the same.

                                                            (Or)

Creation of State capital region:

The new capital can be created in a newly created district in the Seema-Andhra region encompassing the geographical regions of Kurnool, YSR Kadapa, Nellore and Prakasham districts border regions. So that the two regions in newly created Andhra Pradesh can have even share and console over burning  capital issue. The new capital can be created similar to Gandhi Nagar in Gujarat and Chandigarh in Punjab-Haryana 

Hyderabad Issue over ten years as join capital of two states:

Revenue sharing:

Without the resources and income from Hyderabad the three regions wont survive. The income from Hyderabad should be divided proportionally among the three regions for over a period of ten years.

Education Opportunities:

It’s impossible for the new Andhra Pradesh region to create education opportunities to its citizens without Hyderabad. Hyderabad is a seat of three central universities, twelve state level universities Medical colleges National Law school etc all are created after the formation of AP mainly during 1996 -2013.So the both newly created states have there share in opportunities for next ten years as of now in undivided state.

Employment opportunities:

The above formula can be applicable for employment opportunities as of now, but the government employment is the solve right of Telangana state.

Administration of Hyderabad for ten years on the lines of Joint capital:

The Administration of Hyderabad has to be rest in the hands of Governor as per the Article 258 of the constitution of India. The GHMC or the HMDA which ever is viable should be hands in the Governor of Telangana State advised by the Council should consists of representative of the Union Government of the rank of Secretary as council member secretary, Chief secretary of both the States(Telangana and Andhra Pradesh) and Mayor and Chief Municipal commissioner of GHMC as its per meant members along with DGP’s or Commissioner of police of the Hyderabad and Cyber bad as ex-office members.

            The Land Administration, Urban Planning, Law and Order, Education and others should be in the hands of that council.

Education:

The Seema-Andhra has legimate demand the union government to establish this region as education hub.

The Premier institutes in the world and in the country have to invite to establish the centers of excellence and colleges to develop higher education.

The Telangana region have IIT,ISB, IPE,IICT ,IIIT, NIT ,NIFT ,NID ,NIFER BITS, ICFAI UoH, Maulana Azad National Urdu university, English and Foreign languages, Nalsar University of law, and many more. Seema Andhra region has to get rightful share of this higher learning institutes must be established in this region along with IIM AIIMS IISc and central innovation universities. So that most talented fool of human resources can be generated along to attract the investments from the private players. Each district headquarter should become seat of one.

For further reference this is the list of the Central and State sponsored institutes in and around Hyderabad.

Note: This not the exact list some more number of institutes are there.

Universities

·         University of Hyderabad

·         Indian School of Business

·         Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad

·         International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad

·         Jawaharlal Nehru University of Architecture , Hyderabad

·         NALSAR University of Law

·         Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University

·         Andhra Pradesh Open University (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University)

·         Maulana Azad National Urdu University

·         Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University

·         English and Foreign Languages University

·         Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (ICFAI)

Centers & Institutes

·         Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research

·         Administrative Staff College of India

·         Bharat Dynamics Limited

·         Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology

·         Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics

·         Centre for Economic and Social Studies

·         Central Power Research Institute

·         Central Institute of Tool Design

·         Center for Good Governance

·         Center for Public policy and Research

·         Center for Economic and Social Studies

·         Administrative staff college of India

·         Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

·         Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

·         Directorate of Rice Research

·         DRDO

·         Advanced System Laboratory

·         Advanced Numerical Research & Analysis Group

·         Research Center Imarat

·         Indian Council of Agricultural Research

·         International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

·         International School of Engineering^[1]

·         Institute for Development & Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT)

·         Institute of Public Enterprise

·         Indian Institute of Chemical Technology

·         Indian Immunologicals Limited

·         Institute of Lifesciences

·         Institute of Genetics and Hospital for Genetic Diseases

·         Indian Statistical Institute

·         Institute of Genetics and Hospital for Genetic Diseases

·         Laboratory of the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES)

·         Dr. Marri Channa Reddy Human Resource Development Institute of Andhra Pradesh

·         National Academy of Agricultural Research Management

·         National Geophysical Research Institute

·         National Institute of Nutrition

·         Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Systems

·         Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences

·         Engineering Staff College of India

·         National Institute of Fashion Technology

·         National Academy of Construction

·         National Geophysical Research Institute

·         Center of Plant Molecular Biology

·         National Remote Sensing Agency, India's Satellite Monitoring Station

·         National Centre for Compositional Characterisation of Materials

·         National Institute of Rural Management.

·         National Institute of Plant Health Management

·         Tata Institute of Social Sciences(TISS) Hyderabad Campus operational from 2013 academic year

Laboratories

·         Andhra Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory

·         Center for Indian Ocean Studies

·         Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory

·         Defence elcetronics & research Laboratory

·         Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory

·         Defence Research & Development Laboratory

  

Industries:

The union government has to tack the steps to develop this region industrially. Telangana region along with Hyderabad had developed industrially well. The Per capita income of 65000 rupees apart of Hyderabad in Telangana and Hyderabad has 3,40,000 rupees. In order to provide means for the development of Andhra Pradesh. There National Manufacturing zones should be established in Kurnool Anathapur and Srilkakulam Vijayanagaram districts with all facilities.

Proving an impetus to NTPC, NPCIL State govt has to establish 10,000Mega watts of new power generation capacity by utilizing the gas resource available in KG-Basin. BHEL, ECIL, NAL, HAL, SAIL and other PSU’s have to be invited to establish units here.

SAIL has to establish a major steel plant in Jamalamadugu in kadapa district along with one other in East coastal Andhra region.

IT& ITES, Gaming, BPO, Animation and other technology industries has to be encouraged with special emphasis in both the regions in Vizag Kakinada Kurnool, Tirupati, Nellore, Ongole, Vijayawada and other regions of the state.

Information Technology Investment region as sanctioned in Hyderabad has to sanctioned in Vishakhapatnam, Tirupati, and Vijayawada.

Petro-Chemical corridor has to be promoted to leverage more investment along the coastal belt.

Bulk Drug and Pharmaceutical industries should be established with priority along the coastal belt.

Ship building industries in Vizag Kakinada Bandar Nellore has to be given special emphasis. Inland water ways like the old Buckingham cannel should be developed as union govt program on inland water navigation development earlier decided by the Principal Secretary to Prime Minster to boost inland water ways in India

Due to the proximity to the Bangalore and Chennai cities Ananthapur Chittoor districts has to be developed an automobile Hi-tech manufacturing on behalf on Bangalore-Chennai Industrial corridor.

Ministry of Defense has with its foot hold in Eastern Navel Command should come in hand by establishing the defense research manufacturing and other facilities as per its indigenous program.

Airways:

Two international Airports which are still pending in Vizag and Tirupati have to setup on the wheels with jet speed on par with RGI-Hyd. The Honorable Prime Minister of India Dr.Man Mohan Singh had already laid a foundation stone for International Airport in Tirupati in 2010 since then there is no progress at all

Domestic Airports has to be developed in Kurnool, Kadapa, Ananthapur, Chittoor, Nellore, Ongole, and Vijayawada which had earlier sanctioned for development in ambitious central government program to develop domestic airports for aviation industry.

Railways:

The Union Govt has to given special emphasis on establishing a separate Railway zone head quartered in Vizag. This region along with Axle wheel Wagon Engine, track manufacturing facilities as earlier demanded by the Union Tribal Affairs Minister Kishore Chandra Deo in his letter to Prime Minister.

Water Resources:

The Andhra region having the fertile lands to irrigate but the water required for irrigation now depends on the mercy of Telangana state. Rayalasema nothing but a land of barren depends its entire agriculture is rain fed and depends on back water of Krishna river. The Rayalasema region will have an allotment of 200TMCS as there rightful share.The agitations in this region can be eased out.

An independent constitutionally empowered Board should be established on permanent basics to regulate the water sharing between the two states as per the Article 262 of the constitution of India(Disputes relating to waters) by the power of Parliament. The blue print for the composition and powers of such statuary committee had given in the Justice Sri Krishna Committee. Polavaram project has to be finished on wartime basics along with all pending schemes. In order to avoid the obstacles for Telangana region for this project the Bhadrachalam revenue division consisting of Bhadrachalam and Nuguru venkatapuram Talukas of East Godavari which were in other side of the river Godavari were merged in khammam on grounds of geographical contiguity and administrative viability has to merged with the Andhra Pradesh region. To demarcate the boundaries between the states in this region Andhra State Formation Act 1953, revenue records geographical maps of formation times should be the basics.

The Godavari waters have to be harnessed at fullest level. By diverting its water which is left into sea through Prakasam barrage. Micro and small irrigation system has to be developed

Our engineers have to make the schemes to realize this issue.

Administration in Andhra Pradesh for regional development and Utilization of Package for the development of the backward regions:

The Regional Administrative council for both the regions representing the educational elite and vigilant advisor board to foreseen the development of both regions with statuary powers should be established.

This is only to ensure development in both the regions and to avoid the future separate state demands in the newly created Andhra Pradesh state.

The package provided by the center for the development of the backward regions and Districts of the both regions should take district as a unit.

The Rayalasema region has to given special importance due to its land locked and drought hit. The four districts in the Rayalasema region had declared among the 200 most backward districts in the country.

The Andhra Lights Co., Andhra Pradesh cooperative spinning mill on of the biggest in the Asia had closed down in Anathapur district. The both industries should be referring to Board for Industrial and Financial reconstruction (BIFR) to give impetus to these industries for revival.

As mentioned earlier the available land of Bhramani steels in KADAPA district has to acquire by the SAIL for establishing steel factory to meet the nation demands as well as backward areas development initiative.

Monetary package given by the Union government will mount pressure on the Union Budget. In order to avoid this and full utilization of PSU’s reserved deposits for the Industrialization of the country can be utilized in this process

POSCO and Arcleor Mittal the largest steel manufactures in the world have been facing problems in realizing there investment in Odisha and Karnataka. The AP Govt had a huge land bank in Rayalaseema and East coastal Andhra and Nellore region and good sea port facilities and mineral resources in the state and the adjacent state will add an advantage to it.

The union govt has to consider this issue to ease out the regional development of the backward regions of present AP and Telangana states.

Chennai – Vizag-Kolkata Industrial Corridor:

The announcement of Chennai Vizag Kolkata industrial corridor will become a big boon to the entire coastal Andhra Pradesh region and Odisha demanding for special state status. This will soothes the anger of Andhra People for declaring the Hyderabad as ITIR region in these turbulent times. The Sagar Mala Project had long been declared by NDA govt can be re-initiated will boost investments in this region.

The Govt of India had already announced two major ports one in Dugarajapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and west Bengal will adds an advantage to it.

 

The Private port developing in the Coastal Andhra region like VANPIC, Gangavaram, Kakinada Anchorage port, will develop faster to provide employment opportunities in Andhra Pradesh along with ITIR and PCPIR in Vizag and Kakinada region.

 

Boundary demarcation:

This is not a big problem between the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana State except in the case of Bhadrachalam region where both of them claiming this to be as there own.

            The Bhadrachalam revenue division consisting of Bhadrachalam and Nuguru venkatapuram Talukas of East Godavari which were in other side of the river Godavari were merged in khammam on grounds of geographical contiguity and administrative viabilityhas to merged with the Andhra Pradesh region. To demarcate the boundaries between the states in this region Andhra State Formation Act 1953, revenue records geographical maps of formation times should be the basics.

It’s obligatory to deal with the Polavarm project as a safe pass too.

Final Note from our side:

We are not asking anything extravagant we are demanding our rightful share that what we lost due to the lost of Capital Status for Kurnool over 57 years (Fifty seven years since Nov-1^st 1956 formation of Andhra Pradesh as Hyderabad as its capital) and loosing Hyderabad now.        

From :                                                                                                        

J.Gopianth B.Tech 

Asst.Systems Engineer (TCS-Hyderabad)

Mobile no:+918143546676

Any one who are interested in sending there feedback to GoM on Telangana can send to this mail id:

feedbacktogom-mha@nic.in

Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT)

The Prime Minister is holding a meeting of the National Committee on DBT to review the rollout of the Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) system so far and the approaches and strategies being adopted for expansion into new districts and schemes.

The Direct Benefits Transfer system was rolled out from 1.1.2013 in a phased manner in 43 districts and 26 schemes. The DBT system is falling into place. While there were teething troubles initially, Ministries have become familiar with the concept and the processes involved. There is a large process re-engineering exercise that is going on within Ministries and Departments to facilitate this switch to DBT.

Progress will be reviewed on the digitisation of databases, the opening of Bank accounts, the enrolment in Aadhaar and the seeding of databases with Aadhaar numbers. There will be a thrust on digitisation of data of beneficiaries in all districts, irrespective of the rollout of DBT as this is a critical activity which need not wait and can be done in parallel. The department of Financial Services will be asked to ensure coverage of all beneficiaries with bank accounts. It will ensure that all Micro-ATMs that are procured will have specifications such that they are inter­operable and are Aadhaar enabled. Ministries will be asked to quickly complete their process re-engineering exercise to eliminate redundant layers, to ensure flow of authenticated lists, to make electronic payments through APB and to utilise the feedback loop to obtain proof of transfer for record keeping.

Most importantly, DBT will be expanded to cover districts in those states which have been allocated initially to Registrar General of India (RGI) for collecting biometric data under NPR. These are states with large numbers of poor and hence, beneficiaries. They include Odisha, West Bengal, UP, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh. MHA and the Registrar General of India (RGI) will work towards accelerating biometric collection in selected districts in NPR states so that a coverage of 70-80% is achieved by June 2013 and DBT could be rolled out from 1.7.2013.

Further, DBT is likely to be expanded to cover 78 more districts in the next phase of the rollout which will begin from 1 July 2013. The three pension schemes managed by MoRD for old age persons, widows and the disabled would now be covered under DBT from 1.7.2013. Post Offices will also be included from 1.10.2013.

With this, DBT will cover over 120 districts which is roughly one-fifth of the country. DBT will now become more visible with a larger footprint, both in terms of area and in terms of number of people covered. The positive benefits of DBT will also be more visible.

Summary of decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Investment since 30th January 2013

The Cabinet in its meeting held on 13.12.2012 approved the proposal of D/o Economic Affairs for constituting a new Cabinet committee on Investment. Accordingly, the Cabinet Committee on Investment was constituted by the Cabinet Secretariat letter no 1/11/3/2012-Cab dated 02.01.2013. The functions of the Committee are as under:

(i) to identify key projects required to be implemented on a time-bound basis, involving investment of Rs 1000 cr or more, or any other critical projects, as may be specified by the Committee, in sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, etc.; 
(ii) to prescribe time limits for issue of requisite approvals and clearances by the Ministries/Departments concerned in respect of projects in identified sectors;
(iii) to monitor the progress of identified projects including the time prescribed/taken to obtain each approval each approval/clearance and delays, if any; 
(iv) to review implementation of projects, that have been delayed beyond the stipulated timeframe, including issues causing delay in grant of clearance/approvals; 
(v) to review the procedures followed by Ministries/Departments to grant/refuse approvals and clearances; 
(vi) to take decision regarding grant/refusal of approval/clearance of specific projects that are unduly delayed , if deemed necessary; 
(vii) to consider and decide measures required for expeditiously granting/refusing approvals/clearances in identified sectors including simplification of rules/procedures followed by the respective Ministries/Departments for decision making; and
(viii) to require statutory authorities to discharge functions and exercise powers under the relevant law/regulation within the prescribed time frames for promoting investment and economic growth. 

2. Accordingly, all the concerned Ministries/Departments have been requested to review projects, both in public and private sectors, having investment of Rs 1000 cr or more that are pending on account of delay in according clearances/approvals and to formulate and circulate the proposals for the consideration of the CCI, after due inter-ministerial consultations, in respect of such delayed projects. If the Administrative Ministry/ Department feels that a proposal needs to be considered by the Committee of Secretaries first, it should send a note/proposal for consideration by the Committee of Secretaries to the Cabinet Secretariat. 

3.Security Clearance for Exploration and Production activities in NELP Blocks

3.1 In the first meeting of the CCI held on 30.1.2013, the proposal of M/o Petroleum and Natural Gas regarding “Clearance for Carrying Out Exploration and Production Activities in NELP Oil & Gas Blocks” was considered. The contracts for 40 blocks under consideration were awarded between April 2000 and June 2010. However, security clearance was withdrawn between February 2010 and May 2012. The issue was pending since then. According to the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, an investment of US$ 13.42 billion has already been made in these 40 blocks and an investment of US$ 2.542 billion is envisaged in the next 3-4 years. The Committee noted that exploration and production activities have been allowed by Ministry of Commerce in respect of one block. The CCI directed M/o Petroleum & Natural Gas and M/o Defence to evolve workable solution in respect of seven blocks within 30 days and to examine the conditions attached by the M/o Defence in respect of 32 blocks in terms of their essentiality and/or feasibility within 3 months. 

3.2 The CCI in its meeting held on 20.3.2013 considered the proposal of the M/o Petroleum and Natural Gas and approved the conditional clearance given in respect of 5 blocks. Total investment made in these blocks is US$ 10.546 billion (about Rs 56,921 cr) and investment envisaged is US$ 0.29 billion (about Rs 1,566 cr). The bottlenecks in respect of other 31 other blocks are in advanced stage of resolution. The CCI has directed that outstanding issues be resolved within a week. 

4. Pooling of Price of Imported Coal with Domestic Coal 

Investment made in a number of thermal power projects are not being optimally utilized at present due to shortage of domestic coal. This situation could be remedied by plugging the gap between demand and supply through import of coal. However, the price of imported coal is higher than the price of domestic coal. In view ofthis,on 5.2.2013, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs considered the proposal of the Ministry of Coal regarding “Pooling of Price of Imported Coal with Domestic Coal” and approved the broad guidelines for the pricing and pass through of higher cost of the imported coal. The Committee also directed that the proposal based on the approved guidelines be placed within 5 weeks. 

5. Location of North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Project of NTPC 

In the second meeting of the CCI held on 20.02.2013, two proposals, one each of the M/o Coal and M/o Power regarding North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Project (NKSTPP)(3*660 MW) by NTPC. The project location falls in a potential coal bearing area containing coal reserve of about 6 billion tonne.The project has been pending since March 2000 on the issue of the location of the project. The CCI decided that the power plant be constructed at the present site with some specific conditions. The Committee also decided, in principle, to restore the original coal linkage granted to the plant with certain stipulations. According to the Ministry of Power, this project would lead to an investment of about Rs 14000 cr and generation of 1980 MW of power. 

6. Environment and Forest Clearance to Coal Mining projects

The CCI, in its meeting held on 20.02.2013, considered the proposal of the Ministry of Coal regarding fast tracking of the approvals for the Environment and Forest Clearances in respect of 12 coal mining projects. According to the Ministry of Coal, these 12 projects would lead to annual coal production of 36.97 Million Tonne and an investment of Rs 1347.63 cr. The Committee noted that in respect of six coal mines, environment clearance has been accorded and directed that in respect of remaining cases relating to environment/forest clearances, Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests and Secretary, Ministry of Coal will hold mutual discussions and finalize within one month, the time-frame for processing such cases. 

7. Decision taken to streamline the processes relating to Environment and Forest Clearances: Meeting of the CCI held on 20 March 2013 

7.1 To help boost investments in the critical sectors of the economy, a number of steps have been taken in the last three months to streamline the process of granting forest and environment clearances. The CCI, in its meeting held on 20.03.2013 reviewed the progress made in this regard so far and set deadlines for the activities that are yet to be completed. 

7.2 Environment Clearance (EC) for mining projects

7.2.1 For one time capacity expansion of 25% or less, coal mining projects have now been exempted from public hearing provided that public hearing had taken place at the time of obtaining the existing EC and the mining is confined to the existing lease area. This would help boost production of coal which is in short supply in the country. MoEF informed the CCI that an OM has been issued to this effect on 19.12.2012. 

7.2.2 It has also been decided that no fresh EC shall be required for a mining project at the time of renewal of mining lease, if EC was obtained under the EIA Notification of 2006. In this regard, the required Notification has been sent to the printing press for publication. CCI directed MoEF to ensure within a week that similar dispensation is made for projects that had obtained EC under the EIA Notification of 1994. 

7.3 Environment Clearance (EC) and Forest Clearance (FC) for linear projects. 

7.3.1 In order to protect the rights of STs and Other Forest Dwellers (STOFD) under the Forest Rights Act, the MoEF in its guidelines of 03.08.2009 had made it mandatory to get the consent of all the Gram Sabhas whose lands were involved in a project. Linear projects like roads, transmission lines etc. generally pass through a large number of villages. A number of projects were getting delayed as obtaining consent of each Gram Sabha is time consuming. The CCI was informed that an OM has been issued on 05.02.2013 whereby such projects are now exempt from obtaining the consent of Gram Saha provided that the rights of the Primitive Tribal Groups/Pre-agricultural Communities are not affected and the State Government has certified that all rights under the Forest Rights Act have been recognized and vested. This would help enormously reduce the time taken in obtaining FC and would also ensure that the rights of STOFD are fully protected. 

7.3.2 Many a time linear projects involve only small stretches of forest land. Earlier work could not be taken up even on the non-forest portion unless FC was available for the forest land. CCI was informed that this anomaly has been removed through an OM that MoEF issued on 07.01.2013. Now, work on non-forest part can begin (subject to certain conditions) during the pendency of the FC. 

7.3.3 Based on the order passed by the Supreme Court in the Lafarge matter, EC for a project is not being granted unless FC has been granted first. Therefore, pending FC work cannot begin in the non-forest portion of a linear project despite the easing of norms as described in para7.3.2 above. On being approached by the MoEF, the Supreme Court on 12.03.2013 has allowed delinking of EC and FC in case of linear projects. The CCI directed MoEF that the requisite guidelines to delink the grant of EC and FC for linear projects should be issued expeditiously. 

7.3.4 In its judgment dated 27.02.2012, the Supreme Court has made it mandatory (until rules are framed under MMDR Act) to obtain EC even for mining of minor mineral which includes brick/ordinary earth. Therefore, in the States, where relevant rules are yet to be framed, digging of earth for highway projects requires EC. The CCI was informed that an OM has been issued on 18.12.2012 obviating the need for obtaining a separate environment clearance for mining of soil/earth from borrow areas of highway projects. Further, based on experience gained, it is proposed to amend this OM to the effect that broad coordinates of areas from which borrow area may be selected, may be provided by the project proponent at EC stage instead of the TOR stage; and that likely impact on environment due to proposed mining of soil/earth may also be provided at EC stage instead of at the ToR stage. The CCI directed the MoEF to issue the requisite amendment expeditiously. 

7.4 Environment Clearance (EC) and Forest Clearance (FC) for other projects

7.4.1 Under MoEF’s letter dated 13.05.2011, no FC is required for creation of certain critical infrastructure involving less than 5 Ha forest land in 60 identified districts. The CCI was informed that through OM dated 10.12.2012 this has been extended to 22 more districts and through OM dated 01.02.2013 this exemption has further been extended to all categories of roads and quarrying of materials used in construction of public roads. 

7.4.2 The CCI was informed that, through OM dated 01.11.2012 EC procedure for SEZs has been brought in line with the framework prescribed for NIMZs under the National Manufacturing Policy. This would allow the State Govts. to delegate powers to the State Pollution Control Boards and would exempt individual units from public hearing, if the SEZ, as a whole, has undergone public hearing. 

7.4.3 The CCI was informed that a Committee has been constituted under Dr. K. Kasturirangan, Member, Planning Commission, to review the provisions of EIA Notifications, 2006 relating to building, roads and SEZ projects. The Committee is to give its report by 22.03.2013. The CCI directed the MoEF that the decisions on the recommendations of the Committee should be taken expeditiously. 

7.4.4 An Expert Committee has been constituted on 30.01.13 to further streamline EC processes. The issue relating to mandatory EC for brick earth and ordinary earth from areas less than 5 Ha has been referred to this Committee. The Committee has given its recommendations which are under examination. The CCI directed MoEF to complete the requisite action within a month.