MPCB sanctions Rs 45-cr plan in ‘hazardous haste’

The vehicles will be given to regional officers and staff although their counterparts in state government do not enjoy such facility. But with polls near, bureaucrats and their political masters are in a hurry to get things done.

The board — which comes under administrative control of the State Environment Department — unanimously decided to set up model facilities for management of municipal solid wastes at a cost of Rs 12 crore, at towns with the right connections. Ironically, the municipal councils of the four towns have defaulted on the payment of water cess to the MPCB. The board had said such defaulters should not be given funds. Further, Rs 8.20 crore will be spent on the purchase of office premises at Sion in Mumbai, Kalyan and Nanded. The board also decided to construct a Central Laboratory building in Navi Mumbai although it has a laboratory in Belapur. The board’s annual revenue is Rs 8 crore to Rs 10 crore which comes from water cess and cess charged on industries. Recently, the fixed deposits of the board were withdrawn to pay salaries to staff.

So, from where would the funds come? Board Chairman Mushtaq Antulay denied the decisions were taken hastily. But he said: ‘‘Anybody can get such an impression. All proposals were pending approval for a long time.’’