State Pollution Control Boards, set up under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974, are assigned to keep track of and control environmental pollution. Continuous enactment and framing of rules have specified the powers and functions of the SPCBs in different areas of their engagement. This write-up pens down the responsibilities of SPCB.
What is SPCB?
SPCB stands for State Pollution Control Board. SPCB is a council that carries out, assures, and participates in an investigation. The Board has its team of experts and testing room to examine the air, soil, and water quality of various samples collected from industrial areas. It performs as per the rules framed by the government from time to time.
Also, all SPCBs monitor the interest of the respective states where they perform and carry out the instructions provided by CPCB. The State Pollution Control Board has branches in different towns in the states. Also, it has a team of scientists and experts to examine the air, soil, and water quality of different samples collected from industrial areas.
SPCB is constituted with a two-tier administrative set-up consisting of–
- Board of Members,
- Regular administrative,
- Technical staff and
- A network of field offices.
Each SPCB must perform such responsibilities as advising the State Government on matters relating to pollution, developing methods, standards, and technology to abate pollution, administering pollution control, and creating awareness among the public about the adverse effects of pollution.
Also, State Pollution Control Board supervises various industries and factories carry out different provisions present in Water Act, Air Act, and Environmental Protection Act[1] in the State. When required, State Pollution Control Board consults experts of the concerned areas to examine the Application of various guidelines of the Act.
Responsibilities of SPCB in India
- To prepare a comprehensive program to prevent, control, and reduce water and air pollution in the State.
- To advise the respective state Government on the subject matter regarding prevention, control, or reduction of water and air pollution.
- To formulate, modify, or set aside effluent standards for sewage and trade effluents and for the quality of receiving waters and classify waters of the State.
- To develop economical as well as reliable methods for treatment of sewage and trade effluents, for their utilization in agriculture, and their disposal on land.
Among various responsibilities of SPCB, the said authority is also accountable for advising the respective State Government regarding the location of any industry, the continuing of which is likely to cause water and air pollution.
- To formulate, in consultation with and having regard to the standards set by the CPCB, norms for emission of air pollutants into the open air from different sources except for ships and aircraft.
- To gather and pass on the information relating to water and air pollution and the prevention, control, or reduction thereof.
- To motivate, direct, and participate in investigations and research on water pollution problems.
- To inspect sewage or trade effluents, works, and plants to treat sewage and trade effluents.
Apart from performing all the above responsibilities, it is the responsibility of SPCB to collaborate with the Central Board in conducting the training of the individuals involved or to be involved in programs relating to elimination, control, and subsiding of water and air pollution and to organize mass education programs there too.
The SPCB shall also grant, suspend or cancel authorizations for collection, reception, treatment, transport, storage, and disposal of hazardous wastes and allow the import of these wastes for processing and re-use as raw materials.
To handle such other responsibility as may from time to time be entrusted to it by the central government and Board.
Conclusion
SPCBs shall be constituted with professionally qualified people and constituted adequately by trade, industry, and local bodies. However, this criterion does not apply to most of the SPCBs.
The criteria for determining the staffing pattern of the Boards have not been stipulated, leading to vast differences in the per-polluting unit availability of staff for monitoring. It is ultimately the responsibility of the SPCB to set standards for the emission of air pollutants into the open air from industrial plants and automobiles. So, that is all about the responsibilities of SPCB. Pens down your concern in message box to get more information on the same.
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