Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) incumbent chairman Mani Shankar’s entry and now inevitable exit both remained controversial along with his stint in the office. He made his entry fighting a legal battle for his appointment and took some path-breaking decisions—ban on polythene, raids on PSUs to check various emissions, dumps and discharges in major rivers—are few of them.
Now, when he is packing his bag to leave the board after just around six months of stay, Mani Shankar in an exclusive talk with The Pioneer blamed the internal factionalism of his party, the Congress, but not before reminding the legal clause that, he still believes, can provide a lease of life to his career as JSPCB chief.
You are still writing couplets to generate awareness against use of polythene when it is almost clear that you have to vacate the chairman’s post!
Yes. I have posted on my Facebook account the initiative of Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board on Friday. Sochen samjhe aur vicharen -- Polythene ko aaj nakaren. Ek ek kar Jharkhand jagana --- Polythene ko ab hai bhagana Apna sauda, apna sammaan --- sath rakhiye thaila, srimaan. Media and society are naming me as green crusader. I have called a Board meeting on September 25 to look into some other pollution issues in the State.
But you had been summoned to Delhi by Congress high command and reportedly have been told to put in your papers.
I went there and met senior party leaders. Probably on September 28 the high command would decide on the issue. I am a loyal worker of the Congress and whatever the decision will be I am ready to abide by that.
What transpired into your meeting with senior leaders in DelhiIJ
I put my point of view and asked them about the grounds of seeking my removal despite having worked so well in the Board. They said running Government is their priority and not the board. Kaha ki, “Sarkar jaruri hai”.
What was your replayIJ
I informed them that no MlA can become Chairman of the Board as per its guidelines. They were not aware of it and turned softer after listening this. But this came to their knowledge after muddling with the matter. Anyway I made it clear that I am ready to abide by the call taken by the high command.
Do you think internal factionalism within the Congress and a lobby working against you and your firm steps made the messIJ Who are behind the episodeIJ
It may be the case but I don’t know. If it were to be decided it should have been with the consent of senior leaders like Subodh Kant Sahay and Pradeep Balmuchu. As far as my knowledge is concerned, Ainos Ekka, Arup Chatterjee and Saurabh Narayan Singh (all MlAs) have staked their claims to the chairmanship.
How do you take such claims that led to decision by your party to remove you from the BoardIJ
There are 27 other boards and corporations in Jharkhand. Five of them are even with the BJP loyalists! This is not causing any worry to anyone but everyone wants the Pollution Board. What can be doneIJ
How do you rate your stay at the JSPCBIJ
I tried to deliver with best of my capabilities. What I see a short but satisfactory stay at the Pollution Control Board.