Application of anti-pollution norms go up by six times after warnings: CPCB data
NEWDELHI: Government agencies and civic bodies, usually slow in taking measures to control air pollution, have swung into action after being warned of criminal proceedings and hefty penalties by the Supreme Court and union government.
The data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Tuesday revealed that the ‘implementation score’ of government agencies — a measure of how effectively pollution sources were tackled — have gone up by nearly six times in Delhi in November, compared to what it was between September 15 and October 15.
“While the implementation score of government agencies in Delhi was 4.92% in Delhi between September 15 and October 15, it has shot up to 31.77% in November. This is an indication that government agencies are now taking more actions against pollution than before,” said a senior official of the CPCB.
The score of government agencies in NCR towns such as whom it received complaints.
“We have already issued show cause notices to various government agencies and heads of civic bodies under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, for failing to take actions against pollution, even after being informed. They were asked to cite reasons why penalties (amounting to Rs 1 crore) should not be imposed and criminal proceedings should not be initiated against them,” said a senior official of the CPCB.
Some of the agencies that were warned are irrigation and flood control department, commissioners of civic agencies, DDA, Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation, NHAI and North Railways among others.
A letter was even sent to the Delhi Police commissioner for not restricting use of fire crackers on Diwali.
“We have received responses from all agencies to which notices had been sent. Every response is being analysed. Only then we would take the necessary actions. No criminal proceedings have been initiated till now,” said a CPCB official.