Hyderabad: The Telangana government appointed retired IRS officer Raja Sekhar Reddy Lakkadi as chairman of the Telangana Pollution Control Board with immediate effect.
The Environment, Forests, Science and Technology Department issued orders modifying an earlier notification. That notification had constituted the board in March 2024 with the Chief Secretary as its chairman.
The government said it selected Lakkadi because of his special knowledge and practical experience in environmental protection. His appointment gave him a three-year tenure from the date the government issued the order.
Telangana Pollution Control Board appointment under Water Act
The government made the Pollution Control Board appointment under provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Specifically, it cited Sections 4(1) and 4(2), read with Section 5 of the Act, while appointing Lakkadi as chairman.
However, the government did not alter the remaining provisions of the earlier order that constituted the TGPCB. It clarified that all other terms and conditions contained in that order would remain unchanged.
Lakkadi, a retired Indian Revenue Service officer, therefore replaced the arrangement under which the Chief Secretary headed the board. The change took effect immediately following the issuance of the appointment order.