What are the powers and functions of Pollution Control Boards constituted under Water Act?
Sections 3 and 4 of the Act provide for the creation of the Central Pollution Control Board and State pollution Control Board respectively. The main function of the central board is to promote cleanliness of streams and wells in the states and subsidiary functions in the nature of advise, planning, coordination, publication, education and programmes for preventing, controlling and abating water pollution. The State board are expected not only to plan comprehensive programmes for the prevention and control of water pollution in the state, but also to inspect sewage or trade effluents, works and plants for their treatment, to lay down standards for such effluents and for the quality of receiving waters, and to make orders for waste disposal and the likes. Further the Act also empowers the authorities to issue directions. Apart from the above said general powers, a State Board has statutory powers to obtain information, to take samples, or the affluent and have them analyzed, and to enter
