Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government has notified rules for appointment of chairman and member secretary (MS) of Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), making knowledge of environmental sciences and environmental management mandatory for both posts. The tenure of the chairman’s post is of three years, while that of MS is five years.
Ganesh Shetgaonkar is currently the GSPCB chairman, while Shamila Monterio was recently appointed as MS.
National Green Tribunal, in its order on August 24, 2016, had made special knowledge or practical experience in environment protection studies mandatory for the two posts in all SPCBs in the country. It had directed States to examine the appointments of their existing chiefs in their respective SPCBs and set aside the same if in violation of the law within three months. States were asked to draft new rules.
Goa, in November 2016, had drafted the rules and accordingly, a fresh appointment of the chairman was made.
For both the posts, the essential qualification is Master’s Degree in science relating to environment or Bachelor’s Degree in engineering in a discipline relating to environment from a recognised university or institute and special knowledge and ten-twelve years practical experience relating to environment protection, including industrial pollution mitigation, water treatment or air pollution control devices and twenty years of service.
For the post of chairman, the desirable qualification is a doctorate in environmental management and experience from a recognised university or institution and excellent record of peer reviewed research publications.
Whereas for MS it is PhD in science relating to environment or MTech in engineering in discipline relating to environment from recognised institute or university or equivalent.
