Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh State-level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) chairman Shivnarayan Singh Chauhan has recommended the suspension of IAS officer Harshal Pancholi, alleging procedural irregularities in the preparation of meeting agendas and the handling of environmental clearance cases.
According to a report, Chauhan wrote to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary on October 20, seeking Pancholi’s immediate suspension and disciplinary action. A copy of the letter was reportedly sent to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The allegations concern the preparation of agendas for SEIAA’s 974th and 975th meetings, the handling of pending cases and compliance with directions issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The recommendation does not establish that Pancholi committed misconduct. The allegations would need to be examined by the competent authorities, and his response was not available in the report reviewed.
Who Is Harshal Pancholi?
Harshal Pancholi is a 2015-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre. He entered the IAS through direct recruitment following the Union Public Service Commission’s Civil Services Examination.
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His administrative career has included district-level leadership and departmental responsibilities in Madhya Pradesh. He holds a BTech and MTech degree.
The Madhya Pradesh government’s district website records Pancholi’s tenure as Collector of Anuppur from August 13, 2024, to July 26, 2026.
Harshal Pancholi’s Administrative Career
Pancholi’s documented postings include assignments in district administration, urban development and housing, and central government exposure.
His career includes the following positions:
- Assistant Secretary, NITI Aayog: He held the position in 2017.
- Chief Executive Officer, Zila Panchayat, Tikamgarh: He served in this role from June 2019 to July 2020, according to published officer-profile records.
- Additional Collector, Sidhi: His tenure extended from July 2020 to June 2022.
- Deputy Secretary, Madhya Pradesh Government: He held a departmental position associated with the Urban Development and Housing Department from June 2022 to August 2024.
- Collector, Anuppur: He served as district collector from August 2024 to July 2026.
- Executive Director, EPCO, Bhopal: The organisation’s official website lists him in this position.
These assignments span district administration and state-level departmental work. The available records do not establish a complete account of every responsibility he has held.
Why Has the SEIAA Chairman Recommended Action Against Him?
The dispute centres on the preparation of agendas for SEIAA’s 974th and 975th meetings.
In his reported letter to the Chief Secretary, Chauhan alleged that the prescribed procedure had not been followed while selecting cases for consideration.
According to the report, approximately 500 cases were pending before the authority. The chairman alleged that the sequence of pending cases was not followed and that some cases from the middle of the list were included while others were left out.
The allegations also concern the inclusion of cases that, according to the chairman, were pending before the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) rather than SEIAA.
The chairman further questioned whether the meeting agendas had been uploaded to the central government’s PARIVESH portal without obtaining his approval.
These claims represent the chairman’s allegations. The available report does not establish independently whether the agenda preparation violated the applicable rules.
NGT Compliance and Delays in Environmental Clearance
The letter reportedly raised additional concerns about compliance with an NGT order dated February 3.
Chauhan alleged that certain mining-related matters requiring consideration by SEIAA had not been placed on the agenda despite his requests.
He also raised concerns about cases connected with proceedings before the Supreme Court and alleged delays in issuing environmental clearance letters after approvals had been granted.
Another issue cited in the letter was the delayed uploading of minutes of meetings to the PARIVESH portal. The chairman reportedly referred to the prescribed deadline of five working days.
He called for an independent and impartial investigation into the alleged procedural lapses.
The allegations would require examination of the relevant meeting agendas, minutes, environmental clearance records and applicable court directions before any conclusion could be reached.
What Happens Next?
Chauhan has reportedly asked the Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary to suspend Pancholi immediately and initiate disciplinary proceedings.
The next steps will depend on the response of the state government and any inquiry ordered by the competent authorities.
As per report, the chairman’s letter is a recommendation for action, not confirmation that Pancholi has been suspended or found guilty of any violation.
The dispute places the procedures followed by Madhya Pradesh’s environmental clearance authority under scrutiny, but the allegations against the IAS officer remain to be examined.
What Is SEIAA and What Does It Do?
The State-level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) is a statutory authority constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006.
In Madhya Pradesh, SEIAA is responsible for decisions on environmental clearances for projects falling within its jurisdiction. Its decisions are based on recommendations from the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), which examines and appraises relevant project proposals.
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