KOCHI: Green activists in the state have called for a judicial probe into the awards given by Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) as a number of companies facing allegations for causing pollution are on the list of awardees every year. Green activists are upset with the selection of Kochi-based Cochin Minerals and Rutiles Ltd (CMFRL) for the award under the category of excellence for the 11th year in succession despite a report by a senior official of the Board indicting the company. “This is a serious matter as the people are unaware of the criteria adopted by the Board for conferring award to a company facing the allegation being the single largest pollutant of River Periyar”, said Dr G.D. Martin, a scientist of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.
Jaisson Panikkulangara of the Kathikuddam Action Council said a judicial probe should cover the entire process of the selection for awards. Companies like Nitta Gelatin described as a “habitual polluter” has also received excellence award in the past, he said. “There are allegations of corruption in the selection process and a complete lack of transparency in the process. A judicial probe becomes imperative in such a situation as the government money is being spent for the award”. The Kerala State Pollution Control Board Officers Association has submitted a representation to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan about the malpractices in connection the selection of awards by the KSPCB.
According to a statement by the KSPCB the awards for 2017, based on the achievements made in the protection environment in the previous year, will be presented on June 6, 7 and 8. The award winners are selected from the fields of industries, government and private hospitals, stone crushers, print and visual media, hotels, resorts, local self government institutions and other institutions. The nine-member award committee comprised KSPCB chairman, member secretary, chief environmental engineer, a former member secretary of KSPCB, director of factories and boilers, secretary, department of environment and two others.
