Manpower shortage, lack of coordination are main problems
the central agency responsible for checking environmental pollution in the country—the Central Pollution Control Board—does not have the requisite manpower and modern equipment to carry out its functions. These are the findings of the Indian Institute of Management ( iim) in Lucknow, roped in by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to analyze the board’s functioning.
“The study was carried out to strengthen the Central Pollution Control Board ( cpcb) in terms of business planning and resources,” said Sanjeev Kapoor, lead author of the study. A key point of the report is lack of coordination between the cpcb and the state pollution control boards ( spcbs) which results in dichotomy of functions and frequent conflict between the Central and state agencies. The study also said the six regional office sites of the cpcb were chosen without a plan.
The iim found all departments short-staffed. Of the 364 sanctioned posts for technical staff, only 267 were filled. There was manpower shortage in the laboratories as well. A direct impact of the shortage is increased workload on the existing staff, decreasing efficiency and accuracy. “This can hamper pollution monitoring and survey,” said Kapoor. cpcb chairman S P Gautam said the ministry has in-principle accepted some of the recommendations.
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