Reconstitution of autonomous bodies

SHILLONG: Following the expiry of the terms of the two autonomous bodies  – State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) – on March 31, the State Government is now engaged in the process of reconstituting these bodies.
The Union Ministry of Forests and Environment had notified the two autonomous bodies on March 12, 2014, who were tasked with either approving or rejecting environmental clearance to the various projects proposed in the State.
The term of the chairman and members of the committee is fixed for three years.
It may be mentioned that the SEIAA is responsible for mitigating pollution and protecting the environment which is an essential pre-requisite in the process of starting a project.
To assist this Authority, a SEAC is constituted to scrutinize the projects and forward its recommendations to the SEIAA for taking a decision on granting environmental clearance.
According to the sources, the SEIAA was headed by former Chief Secretary H.W.T. Syiem while the SEAC was headed by the Principal of Synod College, D. Wanswett.