New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday asserted that it will continue to oppose any move to expand the scope of post-facto environmental clearances, saying it remains committed to protecting the core principles of environmental law. He, however, expressed concern that the ruling also allows the Centre to introduce a statutory framework for granting post-facto environmental clearances in exceptional situations. "But it also permits the government to create a statutory mechanism for post-facto environmental clearances in 'exceptional circumstances', circumstances that the government is free to define," Ramesh said. "We will continue to resist every attempt to widen the scope of post-facto environmental clearances and remain steadfast in defending the core principles of environmental law, which carry at their core a commitment to the marginalised," Ramesh added. The Supreme Court further clarified that while the Centre can provide post-facto environmental clearances through valid statutory notifications issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, such approvals cannot be granted through executive or administrative office memoranda.