Environment Ministry simplifies norms
New Delhi: The Government has taken a number of steps to simplify and process the regulatory approvals for sectors like the environmental and forestry clearance, coastal zone regulations and Genetic Engineering Approval Committee.

According to an official press release, the list of applications to be considered will be available on the Ministry's Web site at least 15 days prior to the scheduled meeting and all final decisions of the committees will be put up on the Web site after the minutes are finalised within five working days.

The Government has also decided that the Ministry and the committee will not hold up consideration of applicants till other regulators have given clearance. In case, the award of one another regulator is materially relevant, the final decision may caveat the requirement of the award by the other regulator, before the committee's decision can be acted upon.
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Centre planning integrated food law
Mangalore: The Union Government has initiated steps towards an integrated food law, which would help achieve international standards in food processing, according to a ministry official. At present, nine ministries deal with food processing aspects, and the Government will try to see that a uniform law is formed.
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Space projects on Indo-US priority list
Bangalore: India and the US have put high-technology commerce, including the civil space programme, on their priority list for co-operation. This message was conveyed by the US Ambassador, Dr David C. Mulford, and also in the Prime Minister's message which was read out at the inaugural session of the Indo-US space summit here.

Kenneth I. Juster, Under-Secretary of Commerce, said that there were many misconceptions about the licensing regime; in fact, 93 per cent of ISRO's requirements got approval even under this dispensation, which he said was "above the norm". Even Japan, its closest partner, has to get 700 applications processed in a similar manner.
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