Worsening air quality in several states is a matter of serious concern. Following the same, all states are eyeball to eyeball over the issue blaming each other for the increased pollution. In this series, a string of cities of Haryana are witnessing poor Air Quality Index (AQI) which is a serious concern. There is a certain set of factors responsible for air pollution in the state.
Amid this what came to fore is that the acute shortage of staff including senior officials and other employees in Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) emerges as one of the prominent reason behind the air pollution, as the same results in delay of inspection of industrial units as to ensure the timely implementation of guidelines and regulations.
The information sought by an RTI revealed that out of the total sanctioned 481 posts in HSPCB, 303 are lying vacant which clearly depicts the prevailing scenario.
The shortage of staff not only affects the functioning of the department but also the routine work. Further what received information revealed is that all sanctioned posts fall under 42 categories and a sizable chunk of post of field officers are lying vacant.
So, it is the need of the hour to fill the vacant posts as soon as possible in a bid to ensure the smooth functioning of the department as well as the implementation of the norms to control
the pollution.
At the senior level, two posts each of Chief Environmental Engineers and Chief Scientific Engineers, 6 posts of Senior Environmental Engineers, 9 posts of Senior Scientists, 33 posts of Environmental Engineers, 10 posts of Scientists-c are lying vacant.
These are the officers who make high level decisions and work to prevent pollution. Apart from this, 40 posts of Scientists-c, 92 posts of Assistant Environment Engineer and 25 posts of Junior Environmental Engineer are sanctioned.
All four posts of Environment Engineers and Chief Scientific Engineers are vacant.
Besides, 9 vacancies of Senior Scientists, 15 posts of Environmental Engineers are remaining unfulfilled While 10 posts of Scientists-c are vacant.
Similarly, out of 92 posts of Assistant Environmental Engineer, 58 are lying vacant. Thus, acute short-age of the sanctioned posts causes delay and hindrance in stopping pollution. Besides, taking action against the violators would lead to delay. Apart from this, a large number of posts of administrative, accounts, clerk, assistant and peon are also vacant.
Apart from aforesaid information, it is worth stating that a string of field officials are on deputation in other departments.
Besides, several field officials have been given additional charges which are most likely to affect their functioning. The RTI also reveals that many officials continue to stay at one station for a long time.