NEW DELHI: Union Environment and Forests Ministry launched a Web portal for green clearance of smaller projects of states to cut delay and ensure transparency in their approval.

Until now, there was an online system for giving environment, forest and coastal regulation zones clearances for category 'A' projects related to industry, thermal power, infrastructure, river valley and mining across the country.

Speaking to media persons in New Delhi, Environment Minister Prakash Javdekar said the decision will help states avoid instances of missing files.

He informed 19 states have embraced the system which will help them give environment, forest and wildlife clearances and added remaining ones are expected to join the league soon.

"The ministry started giving permissions online for projects taking place on forest land ('A' category) last year. Its benefit was that project plans could be submitted from anywhere, anytime. This avoided delay and instances of files

going missing... Hence, similar process is being initiated at state-level for 'B' category - small projects - which are cleared by states," Javdekar said.

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