India, Jan. 29 -- The Government on Wednesday amended the guidelines under the laws dealing with air and water pollution, allowing the consent granted to industries to operate their ventures to remain valid until it is cancelled.

An official statement said the Uniform Consent Guidelines, notified under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, have been amended to further streamline the consent mechanism for industries across all states and Union territories.

The statement said a major amendment relates to the validity of the Consent to Operate (CTO). "Under the amended guidelines, CTO, once granted, will remain valid until it is cancelled," it said, adding tha...