"Arrest of a multi-millionaire deputy director Neeraj Kumar Khatri has apparently blown the lid of what could possibly be a scam involving clearances in the environment ministry. The CBI on Thursday found Rs. 1 crore in cash from Khatri’s homes in Gurgaon and Rohtak, a day after he was arrested on charges of accepting a bribe of Rs. 7 lakh from alleged middlemen of Orissa based company for placing a limestone project for consideration of ministry’s expert appraisal committee. " says a report in the Hindustan Times website. https://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Official-s-arrest-blows-lid-off-MoEF-clearance-scam/Article1-992496.aspx
Should we be surprised? In the name of environment, the nation is back to license-quota-permit Raj. Only, earlier it was permission for setting up factory in the name of industrial policy, now it is permission for setting up factory in the name of environment or forest policy. And the report says this arrest was for seeking a bribe for only placing the project before the expert committee, not for granting approval. So one can only guess the potential for wrong-doing when actually giving clearances. Sweeping discretionary powers have been placed in the hands of MoEF officials and Civil Society persons, for granting various clearances. We should not be surprised if this turns out to be proverbial tip of the iceberg.