02-07-2013, 03:46 PM
Decentralizing Incentives and Compliance Promotion in West Bengal, India
Decentralizing Incentives.ppt (Size: 425 KB / Downloads: 70)
Major mandates of SPCBs in India
Planning a comprehensive programme for prevention, control or abatement of pollution in the state
Advising the State Governments in formulating environmental improvement programmes
Collection and dissemination of environmental information
Lay down, modify or annul effluent or emission standards
Encouraging and conducting environmental research activities
Controlling and minimising pollution from point sources through implementation of statutes
Surveillance on pollution sources to ensure regulatory compliance
Restoration and improvement of environmental and ecological conditions
Solving the problem of industrial sectors through negotiation, dialogue, technical assistance
Redressing public grievances against specific environmental problems
Training and generating awareness on environmental problems
Limitation of Command and Control approach
No incentive for industries for self compliance through self monitoring
State agencies has no power take cognizance directly for the recalcitrant industries
Filing of Court cases by State Board is essential for taking penal action against environmental non-compliance as a cognizable offence
Initially the cases can only be filed at Sub-Divisional Courts
Such Court procedures is lengthy and requires presence of engineers/inspectors of the Board during the trial
Difficulty in achieving environmental compliance by the industries
Environment management is considered to be an externality
Environmental compliance is often not included in the official management policy of the industries
Absence of top level management commitment
Identification of environmental problems in absence of qualified personnel
Absence of dedicated environment and safety cells in the industries
Ignorance regarding the legal requirement fro environmental compliance
Non-availability of information on appropriate emission control technology and reliable vendors for installing the same
Difficulty of choosing economic and effective pollution abatement systems for compliance of environmental norms
Absence of properly accredited agencies generally capable of supporting industries in its endeavour to comply environmental norms