Amid the possibility of the third wave of the Covid pandemic, the Central government has exempted drug manufacturers from stringent environmental clearance processes till December 31. Under the exemption, notified by the environment ministry on Friday, all such proposals will be appraised for speedy green clearances by putting activities relating to ‘active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) under ‘B2’ category projects. “All proposals for projects or activities in respect of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, received from 16th July 2021 to 31st December 2021, shall be appraised as Category ‘B2’ projects,” said the notification under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. At the same time, it clarified that all such projects/activities after December 31 would be considered as per provisions in force at that time.