MP SEIAA Chairman Alleges Serious Irregularities, Seeks Suspension and Disciplinary Action Against Member Secretary Harshal Pancholi

Bhopal, October 21, 2026. A controversy over alleged serious irregularities has deepened at the Madhya Pradesh State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (MP SEIAA). Chairman Shivnarayan Singh Chauhan has written to the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, levelling serious allegations against Member Secretary Harshal Pancholi. In the letter dated October 20, 2026, he requested Pancholi’s immediate suspension and disciplinary action.

Letter No. 92/SEIAA/2026 alleges non-compliance with rules governing preparation of meeting agendas, inclusion of environmental-clearance cases and timely uploading of minutes. The chairman described the alleged irregularities as serious violations of environmental laws and administrative procedures.

Alleged disregard of agenda preparation rules

According to the letter, agendas for MP SEIAA’s 974th and 975th meetings were uploaded to the Union government’s PARIVESH portal on October 17, 2026. The chairman alleged that the agendas did not comply with the Government of India’s office memorandum dated November 4, 2008, and the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006.

The letter states that approximately 500 cases are pending before SEIAA, but alleges that pending cases available on the portal were not included in sequence. It claims that some cases were omitted while others were included arbitrarily.

The chairman also objected to four cases in the agenda for the 974th meeting that, according to the letter, were pending before the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), rather than SEIAA. It further alleges selective inclusion of cases involving deemed environmental clearance (Deemed EC).

Alleged violation of an NGT order

The letter refers to the National Green Tribunal’s order dated February 3, 2026, in O.A. No. 31/2026 (CZ). Citing that order, the chairman alleged that mining-related action without the necessary SEIAA approval violated the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, and relevant legal provisions.

According to the letter, the chairman had previously written to the member secretary on February 10, May 8, October 5 and October 13, 2026. He alleged that, despite these requests, the relevant cases were not placed on SEIAA’s agenda for consideration.

The letter also mentions W.P. (Civil) No. 689/2025, described as pending before the Supreme Court, and requests inclusion of deemed EC cases on the agenda for consideration.

Questions over delays in uploading meeting minutes

The chairman objected to meeting minutes not being uploaded to PARIVESH within the prescribed time. According to the letter, minutes of the 966th meeting, held on September 8, 2026, were uploaded on October 1, 2026. Minutes of the 965th meeting, held on August 18, 2026, were uploaded on September 5, 2026.

He claimed that failure to meet the prescribed timeline raised concerns over administrative transparency and regulatory compliance.

Alleged delays in issuing environmental-clearance letters

The letter also alleges that, after environmental clearance (EC) is granted, approval letters are not being uploaded to PARIVESH or issued on time, forcing applicants to make unnecessary visits to offices.

The chairman questioned the basis on which the member secretary could override the authority’s decisions. According to him, the relevant decisions should be taken at authority meetings under the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006.

Concern over environmental harm if action is delayed

In the concluding portion of the letter, the chairman said that failure to act promptly on the alleged irregularities could harm the environment and worsen disorder in SEIAA’s functioning. He also warned that delays in disciplinary action could affect the reputation of the authority and the state government.

Shivnarayan Singh Chauhan requested the Chief Secretary to immediately suspend Member Secretary Harshal Pancholi and initiate disciplinary action. Copies of the letter were also sent to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, relevant Madhya Pradesh government officials and SEIAA member Dr Sunanda Singh for necessary action.

Important: These allegations were made in the SEIAA chairman’s letter to the government. The allegations have not been independently verified, and the member secretary’s response is not available. Any final conclusion must await an investigation and responses from the parties concerned.