The Hindu Business Line : Green Bill, protection authority key to eco regulation: Minister

The National Green Tribunal Bill and the creation of a National Environmental Protection Authority will be instrumental in future jurisdiction, regulation and decisions related to the environment, said Mr Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State for Environment and Forests, on Thursday.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony of the CII-ITC Sustainability Awards 2009, he added that through such mechanisms the Government can ensure economic growth, while demonstrating environmental sensitivity.

The Minister also announced that a Comprehensive Environment Protection India Report will be released by the Ministry on December 21, based on a study of 80 industrial clusters.

The awards

The annual awards were given out to recognise and reward excellence in economic, environmental and social performance.

The sustainability prize for an independent unit went to the Babrala Plant of Tata Chemicals Ltd, while the certificate of commendation for significant achievement for an independent unit was given to Hirmi Works of Ultratech Cement, Chemicals Division of SRF, Vadodara Light Factory of Philips, Bhilai Steel Plant of SAIL and Hazira Plant of Essar Steel.

The certificate of commendation for significant achievement for large businesses was won by Tata Steel, NTPC Ltd and Toyota Kirloskar Motors and the certificate for strong commitment in the independent unit went to BHEL, Hyderabad; NTPC, Rihand, ONGC, Hazira; and Durgapur Steel Plant of SAIL.

Other companies such as Binani Cement, Shree Cement, GTL, Tata Tinplate, Yes Bank, TCS, Maruti Suzuki and Hindustan Zinc also were awarded certificates for strong commitment in the large business category.

Interestingly, the jury did not find a worthy winner for the highest category – the Role Model Trophy.

Out of the 84 companies vying for the awards, only 54 were found to be eligible for assessment by the experts and the Jury.