Election Commission Probes Pollution Board's Code Violation During Elections

The State Election Commission (SEC) has issued a notice to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board for allegedly breaching the election model code of conduct by allocating funds during municipal elections. The SEC demands a thorough report on why prior permission was not sought before approving tenders for waste management equipment.

The State Election Commission (SEC) has scrutinized the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for allegedly breaching the model code of conduct during municipal elections by approving funds for councils. The SEC demands a detailed report on the board's decisions without its prior consent.

During the board's 186th meeting on November 25, 2025, when the election code was active for municipal and nagar panchayat elections, the MPCB approved Rs 77 crore for solid waste management equipment. This decision lacked mandatory SEC approval.

With elections ongoing in Chiplun and Khed, the SEC insists on understanding why the MPCB bypassed necessary protocols, underlining the continued disapproval and request for a prompt report on these actions.