The Union ministry of environment and forests (MEF) had several New Year presents for Indian industry. Environment minister Kamal Nath -- for the umpteenth time -- relaxed his schedule for gross polluting industries to clean up or face closure. The earlier deadline was December 31, 1992, but now grace periods of one year (for new ventures) and two years (for ventures set up before 1981) have been given to polluting units that have "shown proof of intent by taking concrete steps to meet" MEF standards. The December deadline had created such a furore, the then chairperson of the Central Pollution Control Board reportedly resigned in protest.

But that's not all of MEF's goodies for industry. It has also reversed its decision to monitor pollution by requiring industries to obtain permits periodically. Now, they need to seek a permit only once and after that only if an expansion is planned.

Interestingly, MEF has resorted to what it calls "revision of standards" only to let more polluting industries off the hook. As far as action against polluters is concerned, only three industries had been closed down by January 15, 1993 -- and none of them was in the most polluting category. All three were located in Jammu and Kashmir, a least polluted state. Gross polluting industries are apparently keeping successfully on the right side of MEF.