Bengaluru: Forest, Environment and Ecology Minister Ramalinga Reddy, along with senior Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) officials, conducted a surprise inspection of Analytics and Research Laboratory Pvt Ltd in Bengaluru and found several alleged irregularities in its operations and records.
According to the minister, the laboratory had informed the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) that three analysts would be working at the facility. However, only one analyst was present during the inspection, while the other two had reportedly not worked at the laboratory for the past five months.
The laboratory’s Consent for Establishment (CFE) issued by KSPCB had expired in 2025, yet the facility was found to be operating without a valid consent, Reddy said. Officials also found that waste generated from laboratory activities was being discharged into an open pit instead of being disposed of through an appropriate system.
Questions over test reports
The inspection also raised concerns over the credibility of the laboratory’s analytical reports. A comparison with CPCB’s prescribed rates showed that water sample analysis from STPs was priced at Rs 5,000 and industrial air-pollution sampling and analysis at Rs 13,000. However, the laboratory had reportedly charged just Rs 1,000 and Rs 650 respectively.
Discrepancies were also found between noise-level data recorded at the site and figures mentioned in the final analysis report, the minister said.
Reddy ordered a detailed investigation into the laboratory’s reports and functioning. He said Karnataka has around 50 laboratories involved in collecting and analysing water, air and noise samples.
Calling the inspection a test case, he directed KSPCB chairman and member secretary to conduct comprehensive inspections of all such laboratories and examine their records.