CA Sansaar
CAG Audit Highlights Irregularities in MPCB Operations
Print
A recent audit report presented during the concluding day of the Maharashtra Assembly session has brought to light multiple irregularities in the functioning of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). The report, prepared by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, examines expenditures and performance across several government departments—including environment, health, agriculture, water resources, and urban development—over the period from 2017 to 2023.
One of the key issues identified is the non-recovery of environmental compensation amounting to ₹183 crore from 339 defaulting industries. Environmental compensation is levied on entities responsible for environmental damage to cover the cost of remediation and mitigation. Despite directives issued in line with recommendations from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and guidelines from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the MPCB failed to recover these dues even after more than two years of issuing notices.
The audit further notes that although the MPCB had identified the defaulting industries through field inspections and imposed penalties, the notices were later withdrawn without explanation, allowing the entities to evade payment.
Additionally, the report highlights significant gaps in compliance with mandated inspection protocols. As per government norms, industries are to be inspected periodically based on their pollution risk. However, inspection targets were not met, with shortfalls of over 50% in 2017 and nearly 70% in 2023. Over the seven-year period, only 39% of the planned inspections were conducted.
The CAG attributes these shortcomings partly to inadequate staffing. Against a sanctioned strength of 204 field officers, the number of personnel declined from 168 in 2017 to 147 in 2023, impacting the board’s ability to effectively monitor and enforce environmental regulations.
One of the key issues identified is the non-recovery of environmental compensation amounting to ₹183 crore from 339 defaulting industries. Environmental compensation is levied on entities responsible for environmental damage to cover the cost of remediation and mitigation. Despite directives issued in line with recommendations from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and guidelines from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the MPCB failed to recover these dues even after more than two years of issuing notices.
The audit further notes that although the MPCB had identified the defaulting industries through field inspections and imposed penalties, the notices were later withdrawn without explanation, allowing the entities to evade payment.
Additionally, the report highlights significant gaps in compliance with mandated inspection protocols. As per government norms, industries are to be inspected periodically based on their pollution risk. However, inspection targets were not met, with shortfalls of over 50% in 2017 and nearly 70% in 2023. Over the seven-year period, only 39% of the planned inspections were conducted.
The CAG attributes these shortcomings partly to inadequate staffing. Against a sanctioned strength of 204 field officers, the number of personnel declined from 168 in 2017 to 147 in 2023, impacting the board’s ability to effectively monitor and enforce environmental regulations.
Category : CAG | Comments : 0 | Hits : 28
Comments