Centre to tighten eligibility criteria for state pollution board chairmanship
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. New Delhi: Amid rising complaints of ineffective enforcement of environmental regulations by State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), the Centre is set to introduce stricter criteria for appointing chairpersons to these critical bodies, responsible for enforcing the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, two officials told Mint. Under the new guidelines by the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC), politicians will no longer be eligible for these critical positions.
A five-member committee established for this purpose has mandated a minimum of 20 years of experience in pollution control and environmental management as a qualifying criterion for the role. Also read: Ahead of Diwali, govt plans pollution penalty up to ₹15 lakh as Delhi smogs up This move aims to enhance the technical expertise and independence of SPCB chairmen, empowering them to effectively address environmental challenges. “We are drafting rules for the appointment of chairpersons of SPCBs.
States must follow them. At present, state governments appoint anybody as chairperson. Now, we will tell them who should be appointed as chairperson, who should not be, and the entire process of how to do it through new guidelines," one of the officials said.
The criteria will focus on substantial experience in pollution control, requiring at least 20 years in the environmental sector, the official added. Certain bureaucrats will not be allowed to hold the position as an additional duty. These changes aim to strengthen SPCB administration and enhance policy enforcement.
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