Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched a ‘Star Rating’ system for the industries of the state today to reduce pollution and clean up the air. Besides, he launched the new website at the Secretariat.
This first-of-its-kind transparency initiative in Odisha will categorize industries from 1-star to 5-stars.
While the 1-star will be considered as the least compliant, the 5-stars as the most compliant to the pollution standards set by the regulator.
The programme also aims to strengthen the Odisha State Pollution Control Board’s (OSPCB) regulatory efforts to reduce pollution along with informing residents and industries.
Addressing the attendees at the event Patnaik said, “I congratulate the State Pollution Control Board and Energy Policy Institute of the University of Chicago for this bold initiative.”
“The Star-Rating Programme is an excellent example of the 3T framework-Teamwork, Transparency and Technology. This programme will help the public to find out whether industries in their vicinity are fair in their environmental compliance and empower them to strengthen regulations through public participation. This is yet another initiative where my Government has demonstrated commitment to greater transparency and accountability to the public,” stated the Chief Minister.
He added, “The Star-Rating Programme also recognizes the efforts of industries that take responsibility to maintain clean environment and go beyond what the regulations require them to do. This system would also encourage and induce industries to adopt clean technologies.”
“I convey my best wishes to all the industries of Odisha and invite them to be a part of this Star-Rating Programme to make Odisha a clean and green State and support healthy and sustainable growth,” exhorted the Chief Minister.
Odisha Forest and Environment Minister Bijayshree Routray, Industries Minister Anant Das, Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi, Energy Secretary Hemant Sharma, Industries Secretary Sanjeev Chopra, Environment Director K. Murugesan, Milton Friedman Professor in Economics and Director of EPIC and the Tata Centre for Development at University of Chicago, Michael Greenstone, SPCB chairman and Odisha Development Commissioner R. Balakrishnan, SPCB Member Secretary Debidutta Biswal, SPCB Odisha senior officials, delegates from University of Chicago (EPIC India) and representatives from 20 industries of Odisha also attended the programme.
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