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State Pollution Control Boards

Topics Covered: Conservation related issues.

State Pollution Control Boards:

Context:

Orissa High Court has issued notice to the state government over appointment of bureaucrats as chairman and member secretary of the State pollution control board for the past 10 years.

What’s the issue?

A social activist had moved the HC drawing attention that:

As per the Section 4 of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and Sec 5 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) 1981, there is provision for appointment of full time member secretary and nomination of full time or part time chairman by the State government.

  • But, for last more than 10 years, the posts of OSPCB are filled up from the cadres of IAS and IFS respectively without adhering to any selection procedure”.
  • The same is the case in many other States. A case was also filed in the National Green Tribunal, New Delhi, since the posts require scientific and engineering or management qualification and experience. The NGT made a similar observation in its 2016 order.
  • In September 2017, the Supreme Court had directed the State governments to formulate policy regarding the qualification and experience for these posts within six months.

About State Pollution Control Boards:

They are constitutes in pursuance of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

  • After the enactment of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the enforcing responsibility was entrusted to these Boards.

Composition and selection of members:

The members of State Pollution Control Boards are nominated by respective State Governments.

Apart from the above said Acts, the Board is also enforcing the following Rule and Notifications framed under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986:

  1. Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016.
  2. Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006.
  3. Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016.
  4. Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
  5. The Noise Pollution (Regulation & Control) Rules, 2000.
  6. Construction & Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016
  7. The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991.
  8. Fly Ash Notification, 1999 and 2008.

Sources: the Hindu.