CAG frowns at Chhattisgarh Environment Board

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has pointed out failures on the part of Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) and industries to ensure compliance to environment laws and rules in the state.

The CAG report on General, Social and Economic (non-PSUs) for the year ended March 2015, observed that out of the 355 “test checked” small industries (total 4322), 50 were established without obtaining environmental consent from CECB.

“31 industries started production six months to five years before obtaining consent from CECB whereas 13 industries had started production 5-10 years before obtaining consent.

Remaining six industries had started their production 10 years before obtaining CECB consent,” the report said.

“This indicates failure on part of the industries and the CECB to ensure compliance of environmental laws,” it added.