NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Environment and Forests(MoEF) has finally shortlisted 17 candidates for the post of Central Pollution Control Board Chairman which had remained vacant from over three years now. And the government is expected to take a final decision on the issue in a week’s time. “A total of 17 people have been selected, which includes IAS officers, Indian Forest Service officers and scientists. It is a top priority for us and a final call will be taken on it within the next few days,” said a senior MoEF official.
Constituted in September 1974, CPCB’s principal role is to promote prevention, control and abatement of water and air pollution in the country. Centre apathy towards the body can be gauged from fact that since former chairperson S P Gautam demitted office in February 2012, the Board has not had a full time chief.
The 17 names were selected by a panel comprising the Cabinet Secretary, MoEF secretary Ashok Lavasa, DoPT Secretary, an expert member and others. The list of 17 includes Sunil Pandey, Forest Secretary; UP, IAS officer Sanjeev Kumar, IPS officer Mudit Kumar Singh and Bipin Bihari IFS. There are two scientists -- J S Pandey and S D Singh -- who have applied for the post.