Green policy should not slow growth: Economic Survey

NEW DELHI - The Economic Survey released Friday called for careful planning and customised policies to ensure that green growth strategies do not result in slow growth rate.

The survey, tabled by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherkee in both houses of parliament, said: “The increasing importance of climate-related issues should not shake the foundations of our inclusive growth strategy.”

Concerns have been raised by the industry in the past few months over the stringent implementation of green laws by the environment ministry.

In an effort to allay fears that environment was acting as a hindrance to growth, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh in January announced setting up of a joint advisory council to look into industry’s concerns regarding environment and forest clearances for projects.

The ministry has delayed environmental clearances to several infrastructure projects citing violation of green laws.

The prime pinister has formed a Group of Minister (GoM) to settle the ongoing tussle between environment ministry and coal ministry related to “go and no-go” area in coal belts of the country.

“I don’t believe environment is becoming a constraint. We will try to find a way of addressing these concerns, fears and anxiety of people that environment will become a barrier to faster industrial growth,” Jairam had said after meeting the industry representatives.