Judicial Drive
Corruption can steer even Supreme Court orders astray. In an effort to curb pollution in Delhi, the Supreme Court ordered all government vehicles to start using compressed natural gas (CNG) on an experimental basis. But the order was met with strong resistance, not from powerful bureaucrats but from the drivers of these vehicles. It is alleged that the drivers make money by siphoning off the liquid fuel. Once these vehicles are converted to CNG it will put an end to such malpractices.
An attempt to test a few buses on dual fuel (diesel-CNG) mode is also reported to have met with considerable resistance. Drivers prefer to run on the diesel mode and complain about using CNG mode. So the only option is to operate on the CNG mode alone. But this option is restricted because of the inadequate number of outlets for CNG to ensure smooth operation. It means creating a vast CNG outlet system before vehicles can move towards a cleaner fuel. All over the world, vehicles with cleaner fuels are being introduced on the dual fuel mode so that drivers can switch over to diesel or petrol when they run out of CNG or propane. But corruption prevents that from happening in government vehicles in India.
Corruption among pollution control inspectors is also creating hazards for environmental governance. Despite the Environment Protection Act, pollution control boards often fall short of their goals. These boards are chronically understaffed and under-funded. According to some reports, there is just one scientist or engineer for every 10 plants to be examined. As a result, officials may conduct only a cursory visual inspection of the plants. This leaves open opportunities overburdened has company to alter his report.