12 officials face suspension for not curbing pollution in Ghaziabad

The officials did not participate in sealing drives against firecracker sellers or retail establishments found disbursing or storing polythene bags. The recommendation has not gone down well with senior district officials who said any decision on suspension is the prerogative of the state government.

Ghaziabad Taking a tough stance against the alleged laxity shown by 12 officials of the regional office of UP Pollution Control Board, the Ghaziabad administration recommended their suspension on Tuesday.

After the Supreme Court banned sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR till November 1, the Ghaziabad administration on Tuesday sealed 40 establishments selling firecrackers. (Sakib Ali /Hindustan Times)

The recommendation was made on the basis of a report sent by joint magistrate Prem Ranjan Singh to Ghaziabad district magistrate Ritu Maheshwari.

In his report, Singh sought action against regional officer Ajay Kumar Sharma and 11 other staff members.

“Their suspension was recommended due to the laxity shown during drives against firecrackers and polythene bags,” Singh said.

“The officials did not participate in sealing drives against firecracker sellers which we were conducting as per the Supreme Court’s order. Further, the department officials did not come for a sealing drive against polythene bags. Hence, we have recommended their suspension to the district magistrate,” he said.

“Suspension was also recommended as the officials failed to take effective steps to curb pollution that is already high in Ghaziabad,” Singh said.

Sources said the pollution department is burdened with dozens of hearings at the National Green Tribunal and other courts.

However, the matter of recommending action has not gone down well with senior district officials who said that any decision on suspension is the prerogative of the state government.

The district magistrate said the pollution board officials were not asked to participate in the drives for sealing firecracker establishments and also the drive conducted against polythene bags.

“The drives were assigned to be conducted to the respective SDMs. We will analyse the report sent by the joint magistrate. An inquiry will be conducted and, if laxity is found, action will be taken,” the district magistrate said.

Ahead of Diwali, different teams of Ghaziabad administration conducted joint searches in Indirapuram, Muradnagar, Loni, Vijay Nagar, Sihani Gate and Khoda and seized nearly 1,000kg of polythene bags in stock or in use from different retail establishments.

The joint magistrate also recommended the suspension of two food inspectors for their alleged failure to check sweets shops from running in unhygienic conditions.

“Searches were also conducted and several sweets shops were found making sweets in unhygienic conditions in Nandgram on Tuesday. These shops also supply to markets. Hence, the area food inspectors concerned were also recommended for suspension,” Singh said.