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Centre to have say in nominating pollution control board chairman

Nominating a Chairman of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) will no longer be the sole discretion of the state government if a draft legislation in this regard is approved by the Cabinet and cleared by the state assembly. A...
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Nominating a Chairman of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) will no longer be the sole discretion of the state government if a draft legislation in this regard is approved by the Cabinet and cleared by the state assembly.

A Joint Secretary-rank officer of the Centre will be part of a four-member panel, headed by Punjab Chief Secretary, as per the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act 2024.

After principal approval of the Chief Minister, a draft of the legislation has been sent for the Cabinet nod before being tabled in the upcoming session of the Vidhan Sabha.

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The three-year term of Adarsh Pal Vig, Chairman, PPCB, a noted environmentalist, ended in July last year but he would continue till his successor is appointed as per the provisions of the amended act. A senior government functionary said as per the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974, a three-member headed by the Chief Secretary has the Secretary-level officer of the state government and an expert, generally nominated by the Chief Minister.

“Now, the Central Government officer will be part of the committee. This means, the appointment of the Chairman will be as per the changed process and terms of qualification prescribed by the Centre,” said the official.

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Officials said Punjab was not only struggling to keep its surface water clean, but was also facing difficulty in saving its groundwater.

Reports reveal that unabated industrialisation and urbanisation has resulted in discharge of industrial waste, sullage and sewage into water bodies connected to the Sutlej and Beas. Buddha Nullah, which once was a source of fresh water supply to Ludhiana city, has been polluted over the years by industries.

The amended Act has toned down the punishment on the violators. The amendment replaces most of penalties of imprisonment with fines ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15 lakh.

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