Question : Air Pollution Complaints

(a) whether the Apex Court has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to prosecute staff for not acting on air pollution complaints, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether this order will be implemented across the country and orders given to all regional offices of CPCB, if so, the details thereof;
(c) the action initiated by the Government against officers who have violated the orders of the Apex Court; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure that all offices of the CPCB become pro-active and help the citizens?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a)&(b)Hon’ble Supreme Court vide Orderdated 26/11/2018 in Writ Petition (c) No. 13029/1985 in the matter of M.C. Mehta vs. UoI&Ors has directed that Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Authorities responsible under Graded Response Action Plan to take immediate action for prosecution of the nodal agencies that are not taking the issues of air pollution seriously. This Order has been passed with regard to Delhi- National Capital Region (NCR).

(c) Show-cause notices have been issued by CPCBfor prosecution to four agencies namely Northern Railways, Delhi State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (DSIIDC), National Highways Authority of India on 12.11.2018 and to Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Government of National Capital Territory, Delhi on 03.12.2018.

(d) 52 teams comprising of officials of CPCB have been constituted for extensive field feedbacks on air polluting activities such as waste dumping/ burning, traffic congestion, construction activity, open storage of construction material, unpaved roads, open dumping of C&D waste and road dust resuspension etc in Delhi and NCR. The violations observed are forwarded to the concerned enforcement agencies. A separate cell has been formed in CPCB for management of complaints received through social media like Facebook, Twitter as well as through e-mails and CPCB website. Review meetings are organized to discuss and review the actions taken for control of air pollution in Delhi-NCR towns.
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