Submit information on members of state pollution control boards: National Green Tribunal

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to submit detailed information about members and office bearers of all State Pollution Control Boards on their designation, experience and qualifications.

The Tribunal was hearing a petition by Uttarakhand resident Rajendra Singh Bhandari who has challenged the constitution of State Pollution Control Boards on the ground that the people who do not qualify are appointed as Chairman, Member Secretary and Members of the Boards.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar sought responses from all states and Union Territories and directed them to file an affidavit in this regard by March 24.

"We hereby direct MoEF to file a complete list of all the State Boards/ Union Territories stating the name, designation, experience and qualifications of the Chairman/MemberSecretary/ Members of the respective State Boards and Union Territories.

"We also direct that the notice be issued to Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and all other states and Union Territories to file their affidavits in relation to the above," the bench said.

According to the plea, these appointments are bound to affect environmental issues seriously in as much as the grant of consents under Prevention and Control of Pollution Act and the entire regulatory regime depends upon the effective working of the respective Boards.

"Thus, it would give rise to substantial environmental issue completely arising from the implementation and framework of the Schedule Acts to the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010," Bhandari said.

The plea further contends that the MoEF had issued specific directions that non-technical persons should not be appointed to the Board in view of a Supreme Court judgement and the instructions issued by the MoEF.

"Despite the above law and the instructions persons with no knowledge in the environment and technical field are being appointed.

"Such persons are occupying major and regular posts elsewhere or are active in the political fields and therefore are not in position to devote sufficient time and attention to the functioning of the Boards to which they are appointed," it said.