25 March,2026 04:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Image. Pic/Pixabay
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has raised serious concerns over the functioning of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), highlighting widespread non-compliance by industries and weak enforcement of environmental norms, reported news agency PTI.
The findings are part of a âSubject Specific Compliance Audit' on water pollution control, covering the period from 2017-18 to 2021-22, which was tabled in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
The audit revealed that several industries were functioning without obtaining mandatory consent to establish and operate, in violation of legal provisions.
Despite having the authority to shut down non-compliant units, the MPCB was found lacking in enforcement, allowing industries to continue operations without proper approvals, reported PTI.
During inspections and joint physical verification of 158 industries, auditors found that untreated effluents and sewage were being discharged directly into water bodies, reported PTI.
Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) in many cases were either non-functional or ineffective, while Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) were not installed in several units, further weakening monitoring mechanisms, reported PTI.
The CAG report highlighted a significant shortage of manpower within the MPCB, which led to reduced inspection frequency.
There was a shortfall of 53.5 per cent to 68.35 per cent in inspection visits, with highly polluting industries such as sugar, paper, and pharmaceutical units witnessing inspection gaps ranging from 58 to 84 per cent, reported PTI.
The audit found continued non-compliance in several sectors. In seven sugar factories, treated effluent samples exceeded permissible limits, indicating ineffective treatment processes.
In addition, Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) were found to be inadequately monitored, with only a limited number of parameters tested compared to prescribed standards, reported PTI.
Out of 12,319 samples tested across six MPCB regional offices, as many as 5,033 samples failed to meet environmental norms.
The report noted that 14 industries connected to CETPs discharged effluents beyond permissible limits for periods ranging from five to 37 months, yet no action was taken by regional offices, reported PTI.
It also flagged irregularities in fee assessment and collection, with consent fees not consistently calculated based on financial records, resulting in short charging, reported PTI.
The MPCB was also found to have failed in enforcing financial safeguards. The audit pointed out that bank guarantees in cases of non-compliance were neither properly verified nor forfeited when required.
These lapses further weakened the regulatory framework and reduced accountability among polluting industries.
The CAG termed these shortcomings as "systemic failures" that have significantly undermined efforts to control water pollution in the state, reported PTI.
It recommended that the MPCB strengthen coordination with other government departments, ensure all industries come under the consent regime, fill vacant posts, and strictly enforce compliance, especially in highly polluting sectors.
(With inputs from PTI)
