Response to the report filed by the CPCB on state action plans in southern states to control air pollution, 31/05/2023
Response to the status report filed by the Central Pollution Control Board by Kankana Das. The report was in compliance with the NGT order dated March 15, 2023.
The NGT, March 15, 2023 had directed the CPCB to examine action plans for air pollution submitted by states independently and to file a status report.
The applicant, perused the status report and has filed a response highlighting the lacunas in the state action plans filed by the Puducherry Pollution Control Committee, state of Kerala and Tamil Nadu "which would result in deteriorating the air quality of the states and thereby making the mandate under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) unachievable".
The state action plan for the Puducherry Pollution Control Committee submitted by the CPCB gives an account of existing standards, directions and policies done and does not propose any action and policy to mitigate air pollution.
Similarly, when it comes to the action plan of Kerala submitted by the CPCB - the action plan gives an account of the existing standards, directions and policies done and does not propose any action and policy to mitigate air pollution.
The same is the case with the state action plan of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to control air pollution. Tamil Nadu has not formulated any policy for development of projects or plants for construction and demolition of waste management. The applicant has stated that the state action plan submitted by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board in the status report filed by the CPCB lacks information in terms of budgeting and fund allocation.
Further, the state action plans submitted by Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are deficient and will not be able to achieve the goals mandated under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), thus these action plans must be reconsidered.