New Delhi: In the midst of a continued threat of Covid-19 pandemic and the possibility of the third wave, the center has released drug manufacturers from a strict environmental permit process until December 31.
Under the exception, notified by environmental services on Friday, all the proposals will be assessed for fast green permits by putting activities related to ‘active pharmaceutical material’ (API) under the Category Projects ‘B2’.
Because projects under the ‘B2’ category do not require environmental impact assessment and public hearings, drug manufacturers can get a fast green permit.
Flexibility can help domestic drug manufacturers become independent in the manufacture of APIs used as raw materials to produce drugs.
“All proposals for projects or activities in connection with active pharmaceutical materials, received from July 16, 2021 to December 31, 2021, will be assessed as the ‘B2’ category project,” said notice under the Environmental Act (Protection), 1986 .
At the same time, he clarified that all of the projects / activities after December 31 will be considered according to the applicable provisions at that time.
The ministry in his notification confirmed the liberal approach in giving green permits due to existing Covid-19 threats.
It is said, “This center is deemed necessary to provide other windows (exceptions) in the view of the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic and the continued need of making fast drugs.” This records the ministry has received a demand for extension of time in a period of time outside the earlier time ending on March 30 as “there are further requirements to accelerate the making of the drug” remember the outbreak of the second wave of pandemic.
Regulations that are notified under the 1986 law classify the project into three categories – categories ‘a’ that needs to be assessed by the Ministry, the ‘B’ category where the state needs to provide ‘B2’ permits and categories that relieve projects from the EIA and Public Session.