Maharashtra Pollution Control Board

Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) was established on 7th September 1970. It was established under the provisions of Maharashtra Prevention of Water Pollution Act, 1969. It implements various environmental legislations in the state of Maharashtra. These legislations are:-

• Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
• Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
• Water (Cess) Act, 1977
• Provisions of Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 and rules made thereunder

The Pollution Control Board manages its function through twenty-five (12) regional offices spread across all over the state. The head office of the Board is based in Mumbai.

The Board Consists of:-

• Chairman
• Member Secretary
• Other Official and Non-Official Members as provided under section 4 and  5 of the Water Act and Air Act, respectively. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board functions under the Administrative Control of Environment Department of Government of Maharashtra.

Important functions of the Board are:-

• To plan programs for the prevention, control, and abatement  of pollution;
• To collect and disseminate information relating to pollution;
• To inspect sewage or trade effluent treatment and other air pollution control systems;
• Supporting and encouraging the developments in the fields of pollution control, waste recycle reuse, eco-friendly practices, etc.;
• To educate and guide people by organizing public awareness programs relating to pollution control methods.

Categorization of Industries

Earlier Industries categorization was into "Red," "Orange" and "Green" category for the purpose of facilitating decisions related to the location of these industries as well as for the purpose of authorization/consent mechanism. Categorization was based on the size of the industries, and the pollution caused due to the discharge of effluents was not considered. Later on, industrial sectors were categorized on the basis of the pollution index. Pollution Index (PI) of any Industrial Sector denotes number from 0 to 100 and increasing value of PI denotes the increasing degree of pollution. These industries are categorized into the following categories on the basis of pollution index score, which is as under:

White category of industries includes those industrial sectors which are practically non-polluting such as Cotton and woolen hosiers making, Electric lamp (bulb) and CFL manufacturing by assembling only, Solar power generation, wind power, and mini hydel power, etc. The white category contains 36 industrial sectors. For operating White Category of industries, there is no need of obtaining consent. No industry falling under Red Category can be operational in any protected area.

The categorization of industries is done in order to ensure that the industry is established in a manner that environmental objectives are achieved and thereby controlling the emission of trade effluents and other hazardous discharges by the industry. The industrial sector will adopt cleaner technologies resulting into the generation of less pollutants.

Procedure for obtaining Authorization/Consent

Who has to obtain Consent of Pollution Control Board?

Any person running or establishing any industry or process, and discharging effluent/ emitting pollutants into any water resources or causing air or water pollution is required to obtain the consent of the Board. For speedy disposal of authorization/consent applications, delegation of powers to the sub-Regional Officer/Regional Officer/member secretary and committee is done. Any person who wishes to obtain the consent of the Board for establishing any industry is required to move an application along with supporting documents to the approving authority depending upon the category and investment in which the industry falls.

How to obtain Consent of Pollution Control Board?

Consent of the Board is required to be obtained in two stages:

• Prior to the establishing Industry/process.
• After establishing the industry, the concerned person is again required to obtain the consent of the Board to operate the industry. This consent is given only for a specific period, and therefore, it is required to be renewed. Consents are generally granted within 15 days to 30 days. However, the Act provides for the time period of 120 days to grant or to refuse the consent.

Consent Fees:-

The person who is applying for the Authorization/ Consent is required to pay the Consent fees fixed, to the Board. This fee is payable in the form of Demand Draft at any Nationalised Bank.The term of Consent for Red, Orange, and Green category of the industry is 1,2 and 3 years, respectively. The consent for the industry can also be extended for a period up to 5 years on the payment of proportionate fees by the person.

Documents to be submitted along with the application form:-

FOR CONSENT TO ESTABLISH:-

• Site plan
• Detailed layout of different processes of the unit
• Process flow sheet
• Details of Air Pollution Control and Water Pollution Control Devices to be installed
• Air Quality Report
• NOC from Directorate of Industries, Government of Maharashtra
• Consent fees in the form of Demand Draft
• NOC from Local body
• Undertaking regarding proposed capital investment.

FOR CONSENT TO OPERATE:-

• Detailed layout plan of different processes of the unit
• Process flow sheet
• The latest analysis report of effluents and wastes
• Details of Air/Water Pollution Control Devices installed
• Air Quality Report
• NOC from Directorate of Industries
• Consent fees
• Copy of previous consent.

Inspection by the Board:-

Under the provisions of various environmental legislation, the field officer from the Pollution Control Board has been assigned the duty of carrying out an inspection of the industries for the purpose of satisfying itself regarding the emission of trade effluent and other discharge from the industry/unit and their treatment. Issuing of Directions to the occupier of the industry for prevention, control, and abatement of pollution. Such inspection shall be carried out by the field officer by giving notice to the occupier of the industry and in the presence of the concerned person. Field officer shall verify control measures for wastes and how their treatment, disposal is being conducted. He shall also verify the operational status of the pollution control system. He can also suggest additional measures that can be adapted to reduce pollution and to improve the treatability of wastes.