(a) whether the Government proposes to augment the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
to world standard institutions like US’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA);
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government is considering measures to improve the functioning of the State Pollution Control Boards, especially regarding their monitoring and tracking of polluting
units in coordination with the CPCB; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) & (b): The Central Government has undertaken the task of strengthening the
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in terms of establishment of state-of-the-art
laboratories, enhancement of scientific and technical manpower, robust environmental
data-base management and infrastructural support to enhance its capacities for effective
pollution control including compliance and enforcement.
(c ) & (d): The Central Government has initiated several measures to improve the
functioning of the State Pollution Control Boards(SPCBs) / Pollution Control Committees
(PCCs). The measures, inter alia, include financial assistance to SPCBs /PCCs particularly
to the weaker ones, faster reimbursement of water cess, funding through CPCB for establishment
of ambient air and water quality monitoring networks.