India’s pollution control boards were weakened over the last 14 years

India’s pollution control boards were weakened over the last 14 years

Subject : Environment

Section :Pollution

Context: India’s pollution control boards were weakened over the last 14 years.

More on the News:

• Around 49 per cent of the sanctioned positions in state pollution control boards (SPCB) and pollution control committees (PCC) are vacant, Union minister of state for environment, forest and climate change (MoEF&CC) informed the Rajya Sabha.

Central Pollution Control Board

• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), statutory organisation, was constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
• Further, CPCB was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Functions of the Central Board at the National Level

• Advise the Central Government on any matter concerning prevention and control of water and air pollution and improvement of the quality of air. Plan and cause to be executed a nation-wide programme for the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;
• Co-ordinate the activities of the State Boardand resolve disputes among them;
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to the State Boards, carry out and sponsor investigation and research relating to problems of water and air pollution, and for their prevention, control or abatement;
• Plan and organise training of persons engaged in programme on the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;
• Organise through mass media, a comprehensive mass awareness programmeon the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;
• Collect, compile and publish technical and statistical datarelating to water and air pollution and the measures devised for their effective prevention, control or abatement;
• Prepare manuals, codes and guidelines relating to treatment and disposal of sewage and trade effluents as well as for stack gas cleaning devices, stacks and ducts;
• Disseminate information in respect of matters relating to water and air pollution and their prevention and control;
• Lay down, modify or annul, in consultation with the State Governments concerned, the standards for stream or well, and lay down standards for the quality of air; and Perform such other function as may be prescribed by the Government of India.

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