Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board

INTRODUCTION

Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) was constituted by the Government of Tamilnadu on 27th February, 1982 in pursuance of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (Central Act 6 of 1974). It enforces the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the rules made under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

FUNCTIONS

The main functions of the TNPCB under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 are as follows:
(i) To plan a comprehensive programme for the prevention, control and abatement of water and air pollution.
(ii) To advise the State Government on any matter concerning the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution.
(iii) To collect and disseminate information relating to water and air pollution and the prevention, control or abatement thereof.
(iv) To inspect sewage and trade effluent treatment plants for their effectiveness and review plans, specifications for corrective measures.
(v) To inspect industrial plants or manufacturing process, any control equipment and to give directions to take steps for the prevention, control or abatement of air pollution.
(vi) To inspect air pollution control areas for the purpose of assessment of quality of air therein and to take steps for the prevention, control or abatement of air pollution in such areas.
(vii) To lay down, modify or annul effluent standards for the sewage and trade effluents and for the emission of air pollutants into the atmosphere from industrial plants and automobiles or for the discharge of any air pollutant into the atmosphere from any other source.
(viii) To evolve best economically viable treatment technology for sewage and trade effluents.
(ix) To collect samples of sewage and trade effluents and emissions of air pollutants and to analyze the same for specific parameters.
(x) To collaborate with Central Pollution Control Board in organizing the training of persons engaged or to be engaged in programme relating to prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution and to organise mass education programme relating thereto.
(xi) To perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the State Government or Central Pollution Control Board.

CONSTITUTION OF TNPCB

The TNPCB is constituted by the State Government. It comprises a full timeChairman, 5 officials nominated by the State Government, 5 persons to representlocal authorities, 3 non-officials to represent the interests of agriculture, fishery orindustry or trade, 2 persons to represent the companies or corporations owned by the State Government and a full time Member Secretary.

ORGANISATIONAL SET UP

The TNPCB has established its organization structure with a three-tier system consisting of head-office at Chennai and six zonal offices headed by Joint Chief Environmental Engineers (JCEE) and 32 district offices headed by District Environmental Engineers (DEE). To assist the Board in monitoring the industries, 5 Advanced Environmental Laboratories, 10 District Environmental Laboratoriesare functioning. These laboratories carry out analysis on samples of sewage, trade effluents, emissions and hazardous wastes