Public Hearing ::
Public Hearing is mandatory for Environmental Clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests for matters falling under Category ‘A’ in the Schedule and at State Level the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) for matters falling under Category ‘B’ in the said Schedule, before any construction work, or preparation of land by the project management except for securing the land, is started on the project or activity:
| (i) | All new projects or activities listed in the Schedule to this EIA notification, 2006. |
| (ii) | Expansion and modernization of existing projects or activities listed in the Schedule to EIA notification, 2006 with addition of capacity beyond the limits specified for the concerned sector, that is, projects or activities which cross the threshold limits given in the Schedule, after expansion or modernization. |
| (iii) | Any change in product - mix in an existing manufacturing unit included in Schedule beyond the specified range. |
Interested public and the residents of the locality thereby get a chance to understand the benefits and impacts of the proposed project. They also air their apprehensions and seek remedies before the public hearing panel. The Draft EIA Report, Executive Summaries of the Project both in English and local languages is made available for scrutiny of the interested public, environmental activists, NGOs etc. at the Concerned Deputy Commissioner's office, The District Industries Center, Zilla Parishad, Gaon Panchayat or Local body, the Head office and Regional Office of the Board and the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Regional Office, Shillong,
Public Notice of environmental public hearing is published by the Board in at least two daily newspapers of which one is in the local language. There after the public may submit suggestions or objections within thirty days. They can participate in the hearing and present their views directly to the public hearing panel constituted with the following members:
| (i) | Deputy Commissioner or nominee. |
| (ii) | Representative of the Board (from Head Office or from concerning Regional Office |
Public hearing is completed within 45 days of receipt of application. The project proponent has to submit the application to the Board and submit fee as prescribed.
The procedure of Public Hearing
| A) | Responsibility of the Applicant |
| 10 hard copies and 10 soft copies of draft EIA Report (Appendix-III) | |
| 10 hard copies and 10 soft copies of Summary EIA Report (English/Assamese) | |
| 1 hard copy and 1 soft copy of draft EIA Report/ Summary of Draft EIA Report to be submitted to following places | |
| a)Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India, New Delhi | |
| b)Deputy Commissioner | |
| c)Zila Parishad/ Municipality | |
| d)District Industry Centre | |
| e)Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India, Shillong. | |
| B) | Responsibility of the SPCB |
| i) | Summary EIA Report & Draft EIA report (in English/Assamese) will be available in the following offices: |
| a)Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India, New Delhi | |
| b) Deputy Commissioner | |
| c)Zila Parishad/ Municipality/Gaon Panchayat | |
| d)District Industry Centre | |
| e)Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India, Shillong. | |
| ii) | Summary of Public Hearing should be accompanied by minutes and a statement of issues raised by the public and comments of Applicant (English & Assamese) to be annexed to the proceedings |
| iii) | Proceedings of Public Hearing will be displayed in all the 5 (five) offices and State PCB. |
| iv) | SPCB will also put the proceedings in the website |
| v) | Comment any on the proceeding may be sent to SPCB or Applicant |
| vi) | For obtaining responses in writing from the concerned persons having a plausible stake in the environmental aspect SPCB will have to place on their website the summary, EIA report along with a copy of the application in the prescribed form submitted by the applicant |
| C) | Responsibility of Applicant: |
| The applicant may also directly forward a copy of the approved Public Hearing proceedings to the regulatory authority concerned along with the final EIA Report or supplementary report to the draft EIA report prepared after the Public Hearing |