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In a notification, the Ministry of Environment and Forests declared that the period between the 1st April 2020 and 31st March 2021 would not be calculated for the period of validity of the Prior Environmental Clearances (ECs). The amendment made in the 2006 Environment Impact Assessment taking notice of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Keeping the activities continue amid lockdowns was not feasible. The validity of ECs which is going to be ended by this year will be ended in the next year.
Therefore the paragraph 9A has been amended and now it reads:-
9A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this notification, the period from the 1st April, 2020 to the 31st March, 2021 shall not be considered for the purpose of calculation of the period of validity of Prior Environmental Clearances granted under the provisions of this notification in view of outbreak of Corona Virus (COVID-19) and subsequent lockdowns (total or partial) declared for its control, however, all activities undertaken during this period in respect of the Environmental Clearance granted shall be treated as valid."
Also, a new clause has been added to paragraph 7 which is:
""(ix). Notwithstanding anything contained above, the period from the 1st April, 2020 to the 31st March, 2021 shall not be considered for the purpose of calculation of the period of validity of Terms of Reference granted under the provisions of this notification in view of outbreak of Corona Virus (COVID-19) and subsequent lockdowns (total or partial) declared for its control, however, all activities undertaken during this period in respect of the said Terms of Reference shall be treated as valid.";"