Norms go from pre to post

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Norms go from pre to post

By Kanchi Kohli

Research Gate

December 14, 2015

In the past year and a half, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has been tackling environment issues in three ways. First, regulatory procedures have been modified to allow for speedy approval and execution of industrial and infrastructure projects. Exemptions from public hearings, limiting the appraisal processes, and highlighting the number of pending projects receiving green approvals were all part of the MoEFCC’s achievements earlier this year. Second is the ministry’s focus on the ‘development without destruction’ narrative — the positive incentives to project authorities against causing pollution and creating space for heavy penalties in case of violations of the law and instances of pollution. Third is bringing the conflict resolution mechanisms back within the executive, and far removed from the powers of a ‘proactive’ judiciary. With this done, the onus of protecting the environment lies heavily on controlling an act of pollution once a project is set up and not necessarily on a precautionary approach of holding back the setting up of potentially damaging projects.

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STATEMENT

January 17th, 2024

On 10th January 2024, CPR received a notice from the Ministry of Home Affairs cancelling its FCRA status. The basis of this decision is incomprehensible and disproportionate, and some of the reasons given challenge the very basis of the functioning of a research institution. This includes the publication on our website of policy reports emanating from our research being equated with current affairs programming.

During the tenure of our suspension, we sought and obtained interim redress from the honourable Delhi High Court and will continue to seek recourse in all avenues possible.

This cancellation comes after a decision to suspend the FCRA status in February 2023. These actions followed an Income Tax “survey” that took place in September 2022. The actions have had a debilitating impact on the institution’s ability to function by choking all sources of funding. This has undermined the institution’s ability to pursue its well established objective of producing high quality, globally recognised research on policy matters, which it has been recognised for over its 50 years’ existence. During this time the institution has been home to some of the country’s most distinguished academics, diplomats and policymakers.

CPR firmly reiterates that it is in complete compliance with the law, and has been cooperating fully and exhaustively at every step of the process. We remain steadfast in our belief that this matter will be resolved in line with constitutional values and guarantees.

From the President, CPR

Opinion and commentary

Norms go from pre to post

By Kanchi Kohli