CPCB Proposes Environmental Damage Cost Assessment Methodology
In News
What Happened
Why It Matters
Background
History & Context
What Changed
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Categorization of Violations: BEFORE, penalties were often ad-hoc and subjective depending on the specific tribunal or board. NOW, the draft classifies non-compliances into four distinct categories, such as operating without clearances, assessable on-site damage, non-assessable damage, and procedural non-compliance.
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Fixed Penalty Costs: BEFORE, baseline fine amounts lacked a standardized statutory formula across different states. NOW, fixed penalties are computed based on pollution potential, population exposure, and operational scale, strictly ranging from INR 10,000 to INR 15,00,000 per contravention.
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Comprehensive Cost Inclusion: BEFORE, environmental compensation primarily focused on immediate, visible damages. NOW, the EDCA explicitly includes a combination of damage costs, scientific assessment costs, fixed penalties under the Jan Vishwas Act of 2023, and long-term ecological remediation costs.
Prelims Angle
NCERT Connection
Practice Questions
Q1
With Reference ToWith reference to the Environmental Damage Cost Assessment (EDCA) draft released by the CPCB in 2025, consider the following statements: 1. It was formulated in response to directives from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to eliminate subjectivity in environmental compensation. 2. The proposed fixed penalty costs for environmental contraventions range from INR 10,000 to a maximum of INR 15,00,000. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?