New Delhi, April 22 -- The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday (April 22) issued termination notices to nearly 200 employees working in environmental justice programs, saying their roles "no longer align" with the agency's revised mission.

The affected employees, part of the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, had initially been placed on administrative leave in February. They were later reinstated while legal challenges were pending.

The newly issued reduction-in-force (RIF) letters will take effect on July 31, according to internal documents reviewed by Reuters.

"This action is necessary to align our workforce with the agency's current and future needs and to ensure the efficient and effective o...