NEW DELHI: Individuals who represent potential polluter (local government, industry and public sector corporations) make up 53% of State board members Pollution The Supervisory Board (SPCB), which raises the question of conflicts of interest, while scientists, medical professionals and academics make up only 7% of the members, the center for policy research (CPR) is based in Delhi said in its report, analyzing the institutional structure and capacity of 10 state pollution control boards/committees, on Wednesday.
It should be noted that the statutory requirement of having at least two board members with knowledge and experience in air quality management is not covered by most state pollution monitoring agencies. response. In addition, there is limited representation from civil society (including those working on environmental and labor issues), academia and public health.
The states/UTs whose councils/committees analyzed in this report include Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. They represent the entire Indo-Gangetic Plain – an air pollution hotspot caused by interconnected air currents.
The report focuses on the reasons behind the failure of state councils/committees to carry out their mandate effectively. Its findings are based on information received from applications under the RTI Act, 2005, in August and September 2021, and a series of interviews by senior management.
The report shows that at least 40% of all posts are left blank across nine SPCBs/PCCs. Vacancy rates for technical positions are as high as 84% in Jharkhand and over 75% in Bihar and Haryana.
The data also revealed that some chairpersons and member secretaries held their positions for less than a year in most states, with the shortest term for a president being 18 days (in Chhattisgarh) and secretary membership is 15 days (in Haryana and UP,” said CPR.
The report notes that while the central government has set ambitious targets for improving air quality through the National Clean Air Program, achieving these goals requires agencies to competent and competent management.
The CPR notes that the onus is also on the states to ensure that SPCBs are fully funded and that their autonomy enshrined in law is embodied in practice.
It should be noted that the statutory requirement of having at least two board members with knowledge and experience in air quality management is not covered by most state pollution monitoring agencies. response. In addition, there is limited representation from civil society (including those working on environmental and labor issues), academia and public health.
The states/UTs whose councils/committees analyzed in this report include Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. They represent the entire Indo-Gangetic Plain – an air pollution hotspot caused by interconnected air currents.
The report focuses on the reasons behind the failure of state councils/committees to carry out their mandate effectively. Its findings are based on information received from applications under the RTI Act, 2005, in August and September 2021, and a series of interviews by senior management.
The report shows that at least 40% of all posts are left blank across nine SPCBs/PCCs. Vacancy rates for technical positions are as high as 84% in Jharkhand and over 75% in Bihar and Haryana.
The data also revealed that some chairpersons and member secretaries held their positions for less than a year in most states, with the shortest term for a president being 18 days (in Chhattisgarh) and secretary membership is 15 days (in Haryana and UP,” said CPR.
The report notes that while the central government has set ambitious targets for improving air quality through the National Clean Air Program, achieving these goals requires agencies to competent and competent management.
The CPR notes that the onus is also on the states to ensure that SPCBs are fully funded and that their autonomy enshrined in law is embodied in practice.
