India, May 27 -- The Delhi government has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that "all possible steps" were being taken to address the staffing shortfall in the DPCC and it has filled 83 vacancies in the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) since June last year, when 204 of its 344 sanctioned posts were lying vacant. It added that efforts are under way to recruit permanent staff, with the current vacancy rate standing at 34% and a target to bring it down to 25% by the end of June.

The pollution watchdog has been under the NGT's scrutiny since October 2023, when nearly two-thirds of its sanctioned posts were found to be unfilled. A related case is also being heard by the Supreme Court.

In an affidavit submitted to the NGT on ...