Surprise inspection by Forest Minister exposes irregularities at Bengaluru pollution testing lab
Karnataka's Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy conducted a surprise inspection of a Bengaluru pollution testing lab, uncovering significant operational irregularities. Findings included understaffing, suspicious data discrepancies, and improper waste disposal practices.
Why it matters
The exposure of fraudulent testing practices in environmental labs undermines public safety and regulatory efforts to control pollution in rapidly growing urban centers.
Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Ramalinga Reddy conducted a surprise inspection at the Bengaluru Analytics and Research Laboratory Private Limited (BARL), along with officials of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), on Saturday.
The lab located near Jakkur is used to test samples for water, noise and air pollution. As per the data from the department, there are about 50 units that collect and analyse water, air, and noise samples in the State.
During the inspection, it was found that there was only one analyst employed instead of three, which was in violation of the norms set by the government before permitting to establish the lab. It was also found that two other analysts have not been working for almost five months.
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