RTI activist from the State capital Ajay Dube on the eve of the 29th Anniversary of the infamous Bhopal Gas tragedy alleged that Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) has not learnt any lessons till now.
Dube, here on Monday alleged that almost three decades have passed since the gas tragedy took place in Bhopal but due to the gross negligence of the MPPCB no efforts have been made to curb pollution.
Dube said that the latest audit report of the MPPCB that is prepared by the office of the Accountant General obtained by him through RTI revealed that the board failed to utilise the funds of Rs 2 crore by the State Government and Rs 80 lakh by the Central Government for ameliorate the only site for disposal of toxic waste in the state at Pithampur in Dhar District. The board also failed to utilise over Rs one crore provided by the central government for the treatment of the toxic waste lying in the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, he added.
He said the board was supposed to recover Rs 65 crore from 316 local organisations but due to the negligence this was not done besides about Rs 7 crore were supposed to be recovered as water tax from the industries that too is pending till date. Central government provided Rs 9 crore during the past three years for strengthening the board for environment conversation but the board failed to utilize these funds, he added.
The RTI activist said that the board despite spending over Rs 1.5 crore in the construction of its building in three years failed to complete it whereas the construction was supposed to be completed in one year.