Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 23: Narendra Modi Government has decentralized the clearances of cases pertaining to use of forest land for non-forestry purposes and constituted Regional Empowered Committees under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
This first of its kind initative would go long way in minimizing the difficulties, which were being faced in obtaining clearances from the Union Environment Ministry. Moreover, this step would simplify the procedure as most of the issues can now be disposed off at the level of these Regional Committees instead of going to the Ministry. These Committees comprising experts from the field of mining, civil engineering and developmental economics would also advise the Union Ministry on various issues.
As per the notification issued by the Government of India, Regional Empowered Committee for the Northern Region has been constituted at its Regional Office, North Zone, Chandigarh. The Committee shall examine the proposals pertaining to diversion of forest land for non forestry purpose in the Northern Region covering the States of Haryana, Punjab and Union Territory of Chandigarh.
V N Sharma, retired Chief Engineer, Public Works Department, J&K Government will be one of the members of the Regional Empowered Committee for the Northern Region.
Mr Sharma has served in various capacities in Public Works Department, J&K Government and has been an eminent engineer. He has also served as Administrator of erstwhile Jammu Municipality. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (India), Kolkata; Life Member of Indian Roads Congress, New Delhi and Life Member of Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi and also member of the Executive Committee of IIPA, Jammu.
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