1. State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)
The State Pollution Control Board is the primary authority responsible for:
- Issuing and verifying pollution-related certificates such as Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO)
- Conducting inspections and site visits to assess environmental compliance
- Reviewing emission, effluent, and waste management reports submitted by industrial units
Each state has its own SPCB (e.g., MPCB in Maharashtra, KSPCB in Karnataka) that monitors industries operating within its jurisdiction.
2. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
The Central Pollution Control Board, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), acts as:
- A national oversight body that lays down uniform pollution control standards
- The agency that audits and coordinates with SPCBs on enforcement
- The authority for checking clearances of interstate projects or centrally governed industries
CPCB may also directly verify certificates in critically polluted areas or large infrastructure projects.
3. Regional Offices of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
For projects that fall under Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) norms, the MoEFCC or its State Environmental Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAA) issue Environmental Clearance (EC). Their regional offices:
- Ensure industries have obtained EC prior to project initiation
- Check if the project complies with EIA conditions and mitigation measures
- Conduct post-clearance environmental monitoring
These bodies are involved in evaluating compliance with broader ecological impact assessments.
4. Urban Local Bodies and Industrial Development Authorities
Municipal corporations, development authorities, or industrial infrastructure agencies may also:
- Request pollution clearance certificates before granting construction or occupancy approvals
- Check validity of CTO and CTE during project registration or plan sanctioning
- Integrate environmental compliance into zoning and building permit processes
These entities often coordinate with SPCBs for environmental oversight within their jurisdiction.
5. Investors, Lenders, and Legal Auditors
In industrial land sales, leasing, or project financing:
- Banks and financial institutions check pollution clearances during loan appraisals
- Investors and due diligence consultants verify environmental compliance before acquisition or JV
- Legal and environmental auditors examine certificates as part of compliance audits or litigation reviews
Such checks are essential for ensuring the asset is legally operable and environmentally compliant.
6. Courts and Regulatory Tribunals
In cases of legal dispute or environmental violation:
- National Green Tribunal (NGT) or High Courts may scrutinize pollution clearance certificates
- These bodies assess whether the project holds valid, active, and condition-compliant approvals
- Authorities may request project developers to produce documentation and justify clearance compliance
Judicial oversight reinforces accountability in cases of public complaints or environmental risk.
