The report cited analysts saying the departments were expected to oversee a sulphur dioxide trading scheme for the energy industry.
China’s cabinet, the State Council, presided over the decision to allow the ministry to recruit another 50 employees, the report said. Described as a "beef-up", the ministry now employs 300 people.
There are now 2,900 environmental inspection agencies at all levels, the report said, employing around 53,000 people.
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