In a significant move to expedite environmental clearances and support the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) agenda, the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KPCB) has issued Circular revising the delegation of powers for issuing consents and authorizations.
The revised framework streamlines responsibilities based on capital investment limits, helping to reduce consent processing times while maintaining compliance oversight.
📋 Background & Context
This decision follows a series of earlier circulars issued since 2017 and builds on discussions and recommendations from:
- 221st Board Meeting (Ad-hoc) on 23/08/2025
- Chairperson’s meeting with Chief Engineers on 29/08/2025
- Circulars from 2017, 2019, and 2025, now either modified or superseded
The revision aligns with the KPCB’s broader deregulation and reform initiatives aimed at simplifying the consent administration system.
🔑 Key Highlights of Modified Delegation:
➤ Applicable to Green Category Units
| Type of Consent/Authorization | Capital Investment Limit (₹) | Issuing Authority |
| One-time Bio-medical Waste Authorization | Any amount | Assistant Engineer, District Office |
| Consent to Establish (CTE) | Up to ₹75 lakhs | Assistant Engineer, District Office |
| Consent to Operate (CTO) | Up to ₹50 lakhs | Assistant Engineer, District Office |
| Renewal of CTE/CTO | Less than ₹5 crores | Assistant Engineer, District Office |
| Consent to Establish (CTE) | Above ₹75 lakhs | Assistant Environmental Engineer, District Office |
| Consent to Operate (CTO) | Above ₹50 lakhs | Assistant Environmental Engineer, District Office |
| Renewal of CTE/CTO | ₹5 crores and above | Assistant Environmental Engineer, District Office |
⚠️ Special Instructions:
- Applications involving complaints or court cases will require approval from the head of the office via the online consent system.
- No changes have been made to delegation powers for Hotels and Health Care Institutions mentioned in earlier circulars.
📑 Cancellation & Clarification:
- Circular No. KSPCB/1067/2025-SEE-1 dated 12/08/2025 is now cancelled.
- Previous delegation circulars (2017, 2019) remain partially valid for categories not affected by the current changes.
🎯 Objective of the Reform:
- Enhance efficiency and decentralization of consent management
- Strengthen implementation of Ease of Doing Business reforms
- Maintain environmental governance while removing administrative delays
- Empower District Offices with clearer authority thresholds
🗣️ Conclusion:
This change is expected to make the consent approval process faster and more transparent, particularly for Green category industries with lower investment thresholds. It also strengthens the accountability of district-level environmental officers and streamlines regulatory functions without compromising environmental norms.