Even while playing a crucial role, implementing the plastic ban and booking organisations and individuals for causing pollution, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) got a shocker from the state government. In a notification issued by the forest, ecology and environment secretariat a few weeks ago, the government has clipped the powers of the chairman of the KSPCB and instead handed the day-to-day functions to a member secretary, who is a senior officer belonging to Indian Forest Service (IFS).

The government's move has triggered dissent among the KSPCB members who raised objections and wrote to the government to withdraw the orders. Sources in the KSPCB confirmed the developments to BM. The orders were issued as an amendment to the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution (Procedure for Transaction of business) and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules 1976.

Previously, the chairman of the Board had administrative control over the staff of the board, besides conducting day-today business of the board. This apart, the chairman had all the powers to give administrative sanctions to estimates and appoint personnel. However, the latest amendment clipped the wings of the chairperson by restricting him only to exercise powers and functions as delegated by the state board. The rest of the powers that were hitherto enjoyed by him till date were handed over to the member secretary.

When asked about the changes, Laxman, chairman of KSPCB, said, "The amendment rules have come to the notice of the board. In fact, we discussed the latest notification at length during our board meeting and decided to oppose it. We have already written to the government to withdraw the orders and are awaiting the response."

Instead of the chairman, the fresh notification provided all the powers to the member secretary who belonged to the Indian Forest Service rank and allowed them full administrative control over the board. The rules helped the officials get more power in deciding over the function and activities of the board.

Yet another senior official from the board said, "The decision to amend the rules was taken during the regime of the previous chairman. In fact, the decision was sent to the government without the approval of the KSPCB Board by the then member secretary to clip the wings of the Chairman. Accordingly, a notification was issued transferring all the powers to the member secretary. Any orders or amendment to the KSPCB act has to obtain Board's approval. As there was no approval from board side, we have now written to the government to withdraw the order and maintain the status quo."