Suspension of Ghaziabad pollution control board staff recommended

A official of the Ghaziabad administration on Tuesday recommended suspension of the entire local unit of the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB), saying the staff is not interested in following the Supreme Court's Monday order banning sale of firecrackers in the district.

In his order, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Prem Ranjan said after the apex court order, the entire administration is involved in sealing firecracker shops but the local unit of UPPCB is not taking any interest in the drive.

The pollution-related issue is very important for the survival of the society and in such emergent situation, the pollution control board, a nodal agency, plays very important role, he said.

In the past also, this office did not initiate any action when a similar drive was launched against polythene, Ranjan said, adding that no compliance report is being submitted, no coordination is being established and no guidance is being sought.

Accusing UPPCB Regional Officer Ajay Sharma of not initiating any action, he said it seems that Sharma has no control over his subordinate staffers.

Such lax attitude damages the image of the district administration, so it is strongly recommended to suspend the entire staff with immediate effect, the SDM said.

"The recommendation had been sent to the District Magistrate. Now the DM had to decide their fate," Ranjan told IANS.

--IANS

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