News | MoEF&CC uploads Election Commission NOC on Processing Clearances During Election Period
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has finally placed the decision on processing of Environmental Clearance, Coastal Regulation Zone Clearance, Forest Clearance and Wildlife Clearance cases during the period of Model Code of Conduct (MCC), imposed by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The Ministry has issued an Office Memorandum dated 19th April 2024 in this regard.
The memorandum comes in response to the Ministry's requests on 21st March 2024 and 2nd April 2024, seeking permission from the ECI to issue these clearances as was previously allowed during the 2019 General Elections.
On 10th April 2024, the ECI responded positively to the Ministry’s proposal, clarifying that issuing these clearances during the MCC period does not conflict with the electoral guidelines.
Although the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change did not initially upload the document to its website, it was already circulating among the public and various WhatsApp groups. This circulation prompted inquiries regarding the authenticity of the notices. Further probing and requests for information through the Right to Information (RTI) Act ultimately compelled the Ministry to post the Office Memorandum dated 19th April 2024, on their official website.
However, the Ministry has not provided an explanation for the delay in making the document publicly available online, despite its widespread informal distribution. This lack of clarity on the delay raises questions about the transparency of the process in an era where digital communication is instantaneous and expected.