Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Jul 14: In a major boost to industrial growth and the Ease of Doing Business in Goa, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has announced a simplified process for granting Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) certificates. The new system, introduced via a circular dated July 11, brings in self-certification, third-party inspections, and auto-renewal mechanisms aimed at reducing bureaucratic delays.

According to GSPCB Member Secretary Sanjeev Joglekar, the reforms are aimed at reducing compliance burdens and streamlining regulatory procedures. “The Board has decided to introduce a new simplified process with immediate effect,” he stated.

Industries with a capital investment of up to Rs 50 lac can now obtain CTE and CTO through a self-certification process by submitting an online application. Instead of departmental inspections, third-party verification will be accepted from auditors empanelled by the Board.

The GSPCB has also proposed auto-renewal of CTE certificates for a period of three years for all project categories, irrespective of investment size. This will be done free of cost upon submission of an online requisition letter.

Similarly, CTO certificates will also be eligible for auto-renewal for three years, although renewal fees will be applicable. However, Joglekar clarified that “in the case of a closure order or court case pending before the NGT or any judicial authority, the provisions of auto-renewal will not apply until satisfactory compliance is ensured or the case is disposed.”

The move has been welcomed by local business communities and entrepreneurs, who see it as a positive step toward encouraging investment and speeding up project execution timelines across the state.