The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has announced the implementation of revised penal fee provisions for consent renewals under the Combined Consent Regime of the Air and Water Acts. This move follows the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Notification No. G.S.R 84(E), dated January 29, 2025.
This circular, effective June 1, 2025, replaces previous guidelines outlined in the MPCB circular dated July 12, 2022, for Consent to Operate Renewal applications.
Key Highlights of the Circular:
- A 5% rebate will be given for submitting consent renewal applications more than 4 months prior to expiry.
- A late fee structure has been introduced based on the timing of the application relative to consent expiry.
Late Fee Structure:
| Sl. No. | Period of Application Before Expiry | Applicable Late Fee |
| 1 | Between 120 to 45 days | 25% of the applicable fee |
| 2 | Between 45 days to the expiry date | 50% of the applicable fee |
| 3 | After expiry of consent | 100% of the applicable fee |
⚠️ Note: This fee is not applicable to units that have already paid penalties under the previous circular.
- Applications submitted on or before May 31, 2025 are exempt from the new fee structure.
- All renewal applications pending and unpaid under the earlier circular will be assessed as per the new MoEFCC notification.
Timeline for Consent Approvals:
| Application Type | Red Category | Orange Category | Green Category |
| Consent to Establish | 60 days | 45 days | 30 days |
| First-time Consent to Operate | 90 days | 60 days | 30 days |
| Renewal / Expansion / Amendment of Consent to Operate | 120 days | 60 days | 30 days |
Additional Information:
- The penal fee must be paid via the online e-payment gateway.
- The July 12, 2022 circular remains applicable to all applications except for Consent to Operate Renewals from June 1, 2025 onward.
MPCB has directed all officers to enforce the circular diligently and ensure timely implementation without exceptions.
