Clean-up must start with APPCB

With the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board continuing despite expiry of its term and neglecting its core functions and activities, Capt. J Rama Rao has made a representation to Chief Secretary PK Mohanty seeking reconstitution of the Board

The Government in partial modification of GO No. 47 of March 5, 2010, appointed Janaki R Kondapi, IAS, who retired on August 31, 2011, as full time chairperson of the AP Pollution Control Board with effect from September 1, 2011. The term of the chairperson was stated to be for a period of two years that expired on August 31, but Janaki R Kondapi continues to function as the chairperson

The Supreme Court Monitoring Committee (SCMC) on hazardous wastes, in its report following a visit to the city said that neither the Chief Secretary (Chairman) nor the Member Secretary is a subject professional with the necessary technical qualifications and relevant experience to ensure that the Board discharges its functions as required by environment laws

The AP Pollution Control Board was reconstituted with Chief Secretary to Govt as Chairman, vide GO No. 47 of March 3, 2010. Even though the term of office (three years) of the present Board Members expired in March 2013, they continue to hold office until their successors enter the office, in accordance with Sub-Section 1 of Section 5 of The Water Act, 1974.

The Government in partial modification of GO No. 47 of March 5, 2010, appointed Janaki R Kondapi, IAS, who retired on August 31, 2011, as full time chairperson of the AP Pollution Control Board with effect from September 1, 2011. The term of the chairperson was stated to be for a period of two years, but Janaki R Kondapi continues to function as the chairperson.

In his letter on Friday, Septemper 6, addressed to PK Mohanty, Chief Secretary, Capt Rama Rao has pointed out that the board always seems to be uncertain with regard to its core activities and the conduct of its affairs. In the context, he has cited the extension of services of current chairperson Janaki R Kondepi even after her superannuation. He has drawn attention to allegations that the PCB is not giving due attention to environmental issues plaguing the State.

Some of the serious environmental issues facing the State include pollution of water bodies, unabated urban air pollution, discharge of untreated/undertreated industrial effluents, poor performance of CETPs and STPs, non-implementation of MSW Rules 1999, and the failure to stop manufacture of sub-standard plastic carry bags.

Due to lack of proper direction and guidance from the chairperson and board members, and in the absence of regular review and performance monitoring, the PCB has failed to deliver the goods. This has been the case in spite of strictures and directives of the AP High Court and the Supreme Court of India.

Observations of apex court panel

The Supreme Court Monitoring Committee (SCMC) on hazardous wastes, in its report following a visit to the city on October 19-20, 2004, made the following observations on the functioning of APPCB:

• As the Board stands constituted today, neither the Chief Secretary (Chairman) nor the Member Secretary is a subject professional with the necessary technical qualifications and relevant experience to ensure that the Board discharges its functions as required by environment laws.

• There also appears to be clear a conflict of interest between the decisions required to be taken by the Board and the decisions of the A P Government. As the Board has been reduced to an appendage of the Government, it does appear to be taking decisions that will always support the Government. This is clearly demonstrated in the case of two large projects. The PVC Plant at Krishnapatnam and the Pharma City at Parvada

• Given the rapid advances in environmental sciences and technologies as well as allied disciplines, the SCMC is not convinced that the present leadership structure of the Board is consistent with the provisions of The Water Act, The Air Act, The recommendations of the MGK Menon Committee and the report of the Planning Commission on the matter.

• We are therefore of the strong opinion that the AP Government ought to reconstitute the APPCB in the light of the recommendations given in the Menon Committee Report. The Member Secretary must be a technically qualified person, as he is the Chief Executive Officer of the Board ( The irony is that the Member Secretary- Chef Executive – is changed frequently at will, while there is a fixed term of 3 years for the Board Members).

• The SCMC recommends that the State Government should set up a Selection Committee of three eminent Scientists/Administrators who can preside over the selection process that will send a list of three qualified candidates for each post to the Government for eventual selection.

• The AP State needs a Board that is dynamic and technically well-equipped to take stock of the serious environmental problems facing the State.

Cold storage

Unfortunately, the report of SCMC is in cold storage, considering it has not received due attention during the last nine years.

As industrial and developmental activities in the State have increased manifold during the last decade, the recommendations of SCMC are very much relevant today. The state government has to initiate action.