New pollution control board chairperson’s appointment stirs row

The Punjab Government has appointed Reena Gupta, a senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and environmental activist, as the new Chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB).

Gupta’s appointment, however, has stirred political controversy, with Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the AAP-led Punjab government of handing key administrative posts to leaders rejected by Delhi voters. Her detractors say Gupta has been a vocal critic of farm fires, calling it the major reason behind the increasing pollution in the capital, and are keen on her plan to tackle the issue.

Leader of opposition in the Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa took a jibe at AAP though is post on social media handle X stated, “Another non-Punjabi and Former Delhi SEIAA member — is now chairperson of Punjab Pollution Control Board. Nepotism? No no… it’s called Badlav.”

BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal, meanwhile, slammed the appointment, saying, “From Arvind Kejriwal to Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, now Reena Gupta — all leaders sidelined in Delhi are being accommodated in Punjab. It substantiates our claim that Punjab is being run by remote control from Delhi.”

Baliawal further alleged that appointing Gupta, a non-resident of Punjab, to a post that directly affects farmers, industries and environmental policies could lead to misuse of power. “This position could become a tool for arm-twisting industries and farmers under the pretext of pollution,” he added.

As of now, the Punjab Government has not officially responded to the allegations. Sources in the government defended the move, stating that Gupta’s expertise in environmental governance and track record of policy work make her a suitable choice to head the pollution control body at a time when environmental challenges are mounting in the state

Before her latest appointment, Gupta was a member of Delhi’s State Level Environmental Impact Assessment Authority and had previously worked with notable institutions including Oxfam America, the World Bank in both Washington DC and in Delhi.

She transitioned into active politics in 2013, leaving her career at the World Bank to join the 2011 anti-corruption movement in Delhi. Since then, she has been a prominent face of AAP’s environmental and governance campaigns.

Reena Gupta replaces Adarshpal Vig, who had held the PPCB post since July 24, 2021. In his farewell message, Vig expressed gratitude to the state , highlighting the decline in farm fire incidents and progress in industrial waste treatment during his tenure.