Why should the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) not be superseded by making the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) take over its functions?
The High Court of Karnataka posed this question to the State government while observing that “people of Bangalore city were suffering due to the failure of the KSPCB”. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D.H. Waghela and Justice Ashok B. Hinchigeri passed the order during the hearing of a PIL petition initiated suo motu by the court last year based on news reports on noise pollution. The court also ordered issue of notice to CPCB. “The entire population of Bangalore city is suffering but you [KSPCB] are not serious. How far can the court push you [to take steps to check pollution]…The board is dysfunctional...,” the Bench observed orally.
Pointing out that a large number of Bangaloreans face respiratory problems and cancer, the Bench asked the KSPCB how many more citizens will have to suffer. “It is shocking that noise pollution is more in residential areas…,” the Bench noted.
The KSPCB is showing disrespect to the law though its inaction, the Bench said, while observing it has no option but to issue a direction to supersede the board.
