HC notice to govt on KSPCB chief appointment

Bengaluru: The high court Tuesday ordered notice to the state govt and the selection committee members on a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the appointment of PM Narendra Swamy, Congress MLA from Malavalli, as chairman of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).
A division bench comprising Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice MI Arun posted the petition filed by R Anjaneya Reddy to March 17 for further consideration. The state govt appointed Swamy on Feb 5, 2025.
The petitioner, a resident of Chikkaballapura, claimed that Section 4(2)(a) of the Water Act-1974 and Section 5(2)(a) of the Air Act-1971, prescribe eligibility conditions for being a KSPCB ‘chairman' though the same is not prescribed in terms of any academic qualification for the same. Special knowledge, practical experience in matters relating to environment protection, and knowledge and experience in administering institutions dealing with environmental protection are necessary for those heading KSPCB, he said.
According to him, Narendra Swamy does not possess any of the above statutorily prescribed eligibility conditions for being a chairman of the KSPCB, as is evident from his own declaration made before the Election Commission, which is available in the public domain. As per this declaration, he happens to be a civil engineer involved in business and political activities.