Affidavit of Kerala State Pollution Control Board in the matter of the News item titled Pollution control boards are the weak link, which appeared in Deccan Herald, October 24, 2023.

The application was registered Suo motu on the basis of the news item. The CPCP, September 23, 2024 directed all the SPCBs/ PCCs to submit before the CPCB on or before January 1, 2025, a progress report in the form of an affidavit indicating vacancies, laboratory infrastructure and the number of laboratories.

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Kerala SPCB stated that 19 posts are lying vacant, out of which 4 are technical, 11 are scientific posts and 4 are administrative posts. Further, all the laboratories of the SPCB are equipped with adequate infrastructure and are fully functional. Likewise, Kerala SPCB has an adequate number of laboratories for its functioning. SPCB has a Central Laboratory having NABL and EPA accreditation at Ernakulam. Regional laboratory is functioning at Kozhikode and all other districts are equipped with district laboratories. Laboratory is also attached to the Environmental Surveillance Centre which is functioning in Eloor, Ernakulam for continuous monitoring of the industries in the area.