CENTRAL POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD

HISTORY:

The Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, enacted under Article 252 of the Constitution provided
for the establishment of Pollution Control Boards in the Centre and at the State levels. Central Pollution Control
Board (CPCB) has been originally created under Section 3 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
1974 with the main function to promote cleanliness of streams and wells in the different areas of the States.

CPCB was constituted on 22nd September 1974. In 1981, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was
passed. The original name of CPCB was Central Board for the Prevention and Control of Pollution. The name was
subsequently changed to the CPCB on 01 April, 1988 through Water (Prevention & Control) Amendment Act, 1988.
This was done with a view that the CPCB had to implement both Water and Air Act and functions under both the
Acts and, therefore, the name was changed to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The Environment (Protection) Act (EPA) was passed in 1986 as an umbrella Act to close the gaps in the Water and
Air Act, and subsequently, more functions were given to CPCB under this Act.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
CPCB is led by its Chairman following by the Member Secretary. The CPCB performs its various functions through
the following nine major project\ budget heads.

1. Pollution assessment (survey and monitoring).

2. R&D and laboratory management.
3. Development of standards and guidelines for industry specific emissions and effluents standards
4. Training
5. Information database management and library
6. Pollution control technology
7. Pollution control enforcement
8. Mass awareness and publications
9. Hazard waste management

COMPOSITION OF CENTRAL BOARD:

The Central Board shall consist of the following members, namely,-

(a) a full-time Chairman, being a person having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of 5 years
or a person having knowledge and experience in administering institutions dealing with the matters
aforesaid, to be nominated by the Central Government.
(b) Such number of officials, not exceeding two, to be nominated by the Central Government to represent that
government;
(c) Such number of persons, not exceeding 5 to be nominated by the Central Government, from amongst the
members of the State Boards.
(d) Such number of non-officials, not exceeding three, to be nominated by the Central Government, to
represent the interests of agriculture, fishery or industry or trade or any other interest which, in the opinion
of the Central Government, ought to be represented;
(e) Two persons to represent the companies or corporations owned, controlled or managed by the Central
Government, to be nominated by that government;
 (f) A full-time member-secretary, possessing qualifications, knowledge and experience of scientific,
engineering or management aspects of pollution control, to be appointed by the Central Government.

DIVISION OF CPCB OFFICE:

CPCB head office is currently divided into 22 divisions. Each division has its own in charge and individual sets of
goals.

 Pollution Control Planning Division (PCP).  Information Technology.

 Pollution, Assessment, Monitoring &  Infrastructure Division (IFD).
Survey (PAMS).  Environmental Training Unit (ETU).
 Pollution Control Implementation Division  LEGAL CELL.
-I (PCI-I).  PR SECTION.
 Pollution Control Implementation Division-  AS SECTION.
II (PCI-II).
 BUILDING SECTION.
 Pollution Control Implementation Division -
 LIBRARY.
III (PCI-III).
 HINDI SECTION
 Urban Pollution Control Division (UPCD).
 ADMINISTRATION (RECRUITMENT).
 Hazardous Waste Management Division
(HWMD).  PCI (SSI).
 Environmental Surveillance Squad Division  ADMINISTRATION (PERSONNEL).
(ESS).  MATERIAL.
 Accounts.

ZONAL OFFICES:
CPCB has established 7 zonal offices catering to various States. Zonal offices are field offices of CPCB and all the
schemes are prepared at Head office are executed by them. Zonal offices undertake field investigation and send
reports on Water Quality Monitoring, Air Quality Monitoring, Industrial Inspection and other such related activities
to the Head office for further action. Each zonal office caters to a fixed number of states.
The Zonal offices are located at Bengaluru, Kolkata, Shillong, Bhopal, Lucknow, Vadodara and a Project Office
at Agra.

FUNCTIONS OF CENTRAL BOARD

Under section 16 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 the Central Pollution Control Board
has been assigned to perform the following functions:

1. Subject to the provisions of the Water Act, the main function of the Central Board is to promote cleanliness of
streams and wells in different areas of the country.

In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing function, the Central Board may perform all or
any of the following functions, namely:-

2. Advise the Central Government: The Central Pollution Control Board can advise the Central Government on
any matter concerning the prevention and control of water pollution;
 3. Co-ordination with state boards: The Central Pollution Control Board is to co-ordinate the activities of the
State Boards and resolve disputes among them;

4. Technical assistance/guidance to state boards: The Central Pollution Control Board is to provide technical
assistance and guidance to the State Boards, carry out and sponsor investigations and research relating to
problems of water pollution and prevention, control or abatement of water pollution;

5. Training Programme: The Central Pollution Control Board is to plan and organise the training of persons
engaged or to be engaged in programmes for the prevention, control or abatement of water pollution on such
terms and conditions as the Central Board may specify;

6. Organising comprehensive programme: The Central Pollution Control Board is to organise through mass
media a comprehensive programme regarding the prevention and control of water pollution;

7. Publication of statistical/technical data: The Central Pollution Control Board is to collect, compile and
publish technical and statistical data relating to water pollution and the measures devised for its effective
prevention and control and prepare manuals, codes or guides relating to treatment and disposal of sewage and
trade effluents and disseminate information connected therewith;

8. Standard for stream/well: The Central Pollution Control Board is to lay down, modify or annul, in
consultation with the State Government concerned, the standards for a stream or well:

9. Execution of programme at national level: The Central Pollution Control Board is to plan and cause to be
executed a nation-wide programme for the prevention, control or abatement of water pollution;

10. Establishment of infrastructure: The Board may establish or recognise a laboratory or laboratories to enable
the Board to perform its functions efficiently, including the analysis of samples of water from any stream or
well or of samples of any sewage or trade effluents.

It must be noted that the Central Pollution Control Board is empowered under this act to perform such other
necessary functions as may be prescribed.

Further, the Central Pollution Control Board is entitled the same above mentioned functions under section 3 of the
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 with regard to prevention, control and abatement of air
pollution.

POWERS TO GIVE DIRECTIONS

1. In the performance of its functions under the water act, the Central Board is bound by such directions in writing
as the Central Government may give to it

2. Where the Central Government is of the opinion that the State Board has defaulted in complying with any
directions given by the Central Board and as a result of such default a grave emergency has arisen and it is
necessary or expedient so to do in the public interest, it may, by order, direct the Central Board to perform any
of the functions of the State Board in relation to such area for such period and for such purposes, as may be
specified in the order.
3. Where the Central Board performs any of the functions of the State Board in pursuance of a direction by the
Central Government, the expenses, if any, incurred by the Central Board with respect to performance of such
functions, such expenses, is to be recovered by the Central Board with interest from the date when a demand for
such expenses is made until it is paid from the person or persons concerned as arrears of land revenue or of
public demand.

4. For the removal of doubts, any directions to perform the functions of any State Board given in respect of any
area would not preclude the State Board from performing such functions in any other area in the State or any of
its other functions in that area.

FUNDS OF CENTRAL BOARD.

1. The Central Board has its own fund, and all sums will be paid from time to time to it by the Central
Government and all other receipts by way of gifts, grants, donations, benefactions, etc. of that Board shall be
carried to the fund of the Board.

2. The Central Board may expend such sums for performing its functions under this Act for any action relating to
the prevention, control or abatement or water pollution.

BORROWING POWERS OF CPCB

A CPCB may, with the consent of, or in accordance with, the terms given to it by the Central Government, can
borrow money from any source by way of loans or issue of bonds, debentures or such other instruments, for the
performance of all or any of its functions under the Water Act.

ANNUAL BUDGET

The Central Board, during each financial year, is required to prepare a budget in respect of the next financial year
showing the estimated receipt and expenditure, and copies shall be forwarded to the Central Government.