Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, who also holds the Environment and Forests portfolio, is championing a significant overhaul for the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB). His vision? To create a more robust agency capable of tackling pollution head-on, all while ensuring that industrial growth isn’t unnecessarily hindered.
During a recent meeting, Kalyan instructed APPCB officials to compile a detailed report outlining their responsibilities and financial needs. He also issued a stern warning against anyone attempting to exploit the Board’s name for personal gain. A particular point of concern for him was the alarming pollution in the Godavari river’s catchment areas, where residents are now forced to purchase drinking water due to contamination from nearby aqua farms and paper mills.
The Deputy CM’s review of the APPCB’s operations comes amidst serious allegations from Vijayawada Central MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, who claims that certain high-ranking officials are being influenced by companies that disregard pollution control regulations. Kalyan emphasized that despite being a statutory body with limited direct government oversight, the APPCB must operate with unimpeachable integrity, leaving no room for doubt or suspicion.
He highlighted that unlike departments such as Panchayat Raj, which fall under direct government supervision, the APPCB exercises its own statutory authority. Kalyan cautioned against excessive regulatory actions that might compel industries to relocate, recalling similar situations reportedly experienced during the previous YSR Congress Party government’s term.
Recalling tragic events like the LG Polymers disaster, which claimed multiple lives, Kalyan stressed the critical importance of remembering such incidents. He underscored the need for continuous, round-the-clock monitoring, acknowledging that industrial accidents can strike unexpectedly. Furthermore, he advocated for the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to both reduce pollution and proactively prevent future industrial catastrophes.
To ensure complete transparency and to dispel any potential doubts about the Board’s honesty, Mr. Pawan Kalyan has requested officials to provide a comprehensive report on the APPCB, which he intends to make public.
High-ranking officials present at the crucial meeting included Government Principal Secretary (Environment and Forests) Kantilal Dande and PR Commissioner M.V.R. Krishna Teja.