SC Issues Contempt Notice Over Rajasthan Pollution Board’s Staffing Shortfall

The Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) is under judicial scrutiny as the Supreme Court has issued a contempt notice for failing to meet mandated staffing levels. The board is operating with just 35% filled positions, below the judicial requirement of 55%, due to a state recruitment policy that limits promotions to engineers with at least five years of experience—yet most junior staff have only 1–3 years. The backlog is severely impacting pollution monitoring and enforcement across Jaipur, Kota, and Udaipur. To manage some of the workload, 40 interns have been hired, but compliance gaps remain unresolved. A virtual SC hearing is scheduled for July 18, where the state must present corrective plans.