Karnataka government dilutes norms to appoint KSPCB chairman

The government’s new advertisement seeking applications to fill the post of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) chairman has raised concern among activists over the lax academic requirements.

As per the public notice issued by the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department on November 11, persons with any engineering degree from accredited institution or postgraduation degree in a science stream are also eligible for the job.

Activists noted that this opens a floodgate as people with a degree in civil engineering can also apply for the post. This goes against the government’s commitment made before the high court in addressing the issue of qualifications of the KSPCB chairman.

The latest advertisement also goes against the state government’s guidelines dated June 19, 2020 which said “no person shall be eligible for being considered for nomination as the chairman unless he/she possesses a master’s degree in environment science or a master’s degree in environment engineering or an equivalent degree or allied sciences from a recognised university or institute and has knowledge and experience in areas related to environmental protection..”.

Activist Anjaneya Reddy noted that the high court and the Supreme Court have stressed the need for ensuring that qualified people are appointed to the pollution control boards.

“What we are seeing is a continuous dilution of the rules and even court directions. Going by the government’s notification, even a person with a civil engineering degree can become KSPCB chairman. Nothing more is needed to undermine the post of KSPCB chairman,” he

said.

An official in the environment department acknowledged the problem. “Finding people with right qualification is necessary for the efficient working of the KSPCB. Ultimately, the government has a chance to make the right decision,” he said.

Reddy said the prevailing threats to human health should have forced the government to make the right decision. “Studies by government institutions have found heavy metals in vegetables, uranium in ground water and there is no dearth of reports on air and water pollution. All this should make KSPCB chairman post a crucial position to combat multiple threats. If the government fails to acknowledge that, we will fight it again,” he said.