Pollution body upset by govt agencies' no-show

GURGAON: The Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) for national capital region has taken exception to the "lack of seriousness of government agencies of Haryana in checking pollution". The EPCA said in a letter to the Haryana government that it was unhappy with the approach of Huda and the municipal corporations of Gurgaon and Faridabad in checking pollution stemming from construction sites and garbage burning despite directions from the Supreme Court.

The EPCA has been authorised by the SC to ensure that adequate measures are being taken by the state governments, municipal authorities and administrations responsible for licensing of construction and demolition activities.

To review the action taken by government agencies, EPCA chairman Dr Bhure Lal had called a meeting on January 30 to take stock action taken to control pollution from construction sites and garbage burning in Delhi-NCR and for implementation of the Supreme Court order.

However, no one from Huda and the municipal corporations of Gurgaon and Faridabad turned up for the meeting. Only some representatives from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) were present but they did not have the required data.

On his part, T L Satyaprakash, deputy commissioner and acting municipal commissioner of Gurgaon, said he had utmost respect for the SC order and making every effort to implement it. "We have a huge manpower shortage, because of which many a time it becomes difficult to implement certain orders. But we are committed to reducing pollution and following court directions," Satyaprakash said, adding that it may take some time owing to manpower shortage.

In his letter, Lal wrote asked Haryana chief secretary Depinder Singh Dhesi to issue necessary directions to the officials concerned. "This (absence from the meeting) indicates the amount of interest evinced by authorities in carrying out the order of the SC. There appears to be complete laxity at the state and municipal levels to implement the SC order," Lal wrote. He said despite advance intimation, no one turned up at the meeting.

Lal also directs state to provide details of action taken against dust polluters and burning of waste. EPCA has also directed to provide list of building permits and building under constrictions, and action taken against dust from unauthorised construct activities, action taken/proposed to control dust from transportation of building materials and waste.

EPCA has also expressed concern over road dust and directed to prepare standards to establish dust violation during road digging. EPCA has directed to penalise contractor for violating the guidelines and fixed the accountability of official for taking action against violators.

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