MPCB winks at 27 pc polluting units

The CAG says the board did not conduct a door-to-door survey of polluting units to categorise them in the first place. As of March 1996, 2,542 large- and medium-scale units and 85,332 small-scale units in the state had applied for permission for effluent emission.

Of these,consent was given under the Water Act to 60,196 units 69 per cent, allowing a large number to go scot-free on the pretext that they were non-polluting.

However, only 61 per cent given the green signal fully complied with the pre-conditions, while 12 per cent had done so only partially. The remaining 27 per cent had completely flouted the guidelines, the report reveals.

MPCB sources say the board is acutely understaffed, including technical and other personnel. Sources say about 25 per cent of the sanctioned staff strength has been vaccant for a long time. Also, several key posts have not been filled for more than three years.

As per procedures for grant of consent and to check compliance with standard environmental norms, the MPCB is supposed to visit industrial units and collect samples of waste discharged.

The standard norm for each field assistant working under the sub-regional officer and regional officer is 80 samples per year. The norm was later revised, upping the frequency of samplecollection. However, during 1993-96, sample collection was as much as 76 per cent short of the required number and in some regions, a whopping 94 per cent.

Ironically, some of the local bodies which are supposed to prevent pollution have, in fact, been contributing to the phenomenon. MPCB sources say a large number of polluting units are permitted to discharge hazardous effluents without their samples being checked. Also, door-to-door surveys are not conducted due to both negligence and staff shortage, even in highly polluted areas. Declining to comment on the CAG report, the MPCB says it has been taking action against erring units. The number of industries in the state far outnumbers the board8217;s staff. However, the board has not been negligent in categorising units into red, orange and green, says an MPCB official.

The board is currently focusing on the red8217; or the most highly polluting units. Regular visits and sample collection are undertaken, he says. On the staff shortage, the official said theboard has appointed 98 field officers and 41 clerks over the last year. The total staff strength till date is 765, of which 579 posts have been filled. The remaining 186 are in the process of being filled.

The board also says it has issued 1,399 notices to industries over the last two years apart from filing criminal complaints against 16 defaulting distilleries. Closure notices have been issued to 227 units.

Surveys were carried out last year and consent applications received are closely scrutinised. Compliance reports are issued only then. Samples of treated effluent/emissions are taken before consent is granted, the board claims. While faulting civic bodies for not providing seweage treatment plants, the board concedes that lack of awareness and a funds crunch hampers their work.