Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 23: Taking a serious note of staff crunch as around 50 percent posts are lying vacant in the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC), the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued strict directions to it to fill up the vacancies.
It has further directed the Member Secretary, JKPCC to file affidavits explaining why a large number of sanctioned posts are lying vacant and to file a response within six weeks.
Expressing serious concern over the issue, the NGT said, “The working strength in the JKPCC is even less than half of the sanctioned strength. Such a huge vacancy is one of the major reasons for improper enforcement of (environment) acts and rules.”
It also noted the lack of proper facilities and infrastructure in the Pollution Control Committee laboratories.
According to the figures available with the `Excelsior’, there are around 50 percent posts lying vacant in the JKPCC. A total of 445 posts have been sanctioned in JKPCC, but the working strength of the employees is only 242 and the same is reducing with every passing year due to retirement of officials.
The sanctioned strength of Administrative and Ministerial staff is 215 but working strength is only 137.
Similarly, against 119 sanctioned technical posts, the working strength is only 64 and against sanctioned strength of 111 scientific staff, the working strength is only 41.
Talking to the Excelsior, a top official of JKPCC on the condition of anonymity informed that in order to overcome the shortage of staff, we have already started the recruitment process and refereed around 100 posts to Service Selection Board (SSB).
In addition to this, recently 5 junior environmental engineers were appointed.
“Further, 14 field inspectors have been selected and their verification is in progress. They will be appointed shortly after completing character verification process,” he said.
On the issue of shortage of the lack of proper facilities and infrastructure in PCC Labs, he said “There is availability of adequate facilities and infrastructure in our laboratories, but we are only facing the crunch of man power.”
Follow our WhatsApp channel
