The Central Government has issued the Environment Protection (Manner of Holding Inquiry and Imposition of Penalty) Rules, 2024. The Central Pollution Board, State Pollution Control Boards, Pollution Control Committees, Commission for Air Quality Management and Integrated Regional Offices of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in their respective jurisdictions, through their authorized Officers, or any other persons, may file a complaint in Form-I through electronic means or speed post or by hand to the adjudicating officer regarding any contravention committed under sections 7, 8 , 9, 10 and 11 of the Act.
Every notice shall indicate the nature of contravention alleged to have been committed. After considering the cause, if any, shown by such person, the adjudicating officer is of the opinion that an inquiry should be held, he shall issue a notice requiring the appearance of that person personally or through a legal representative duly authorised by him on such date as may be fixed in the notice.
On the date fixed, the adjudicating officer shall explain to the person proceeded against or his authorised legal representative , the contravention, committed by such person and the provision of the Act, in respect of which contravention is alleged to have been committed.
