Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas

Description

Context

To focus on research, identification and resolution of problems surrounding the air quality index, the government tabled in the Lok Sabha a bill on the commission for air quality management in National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas Bill, 2021.
It will apply to the NCR and the areas adjoining to the NCR in the States of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Utter Pradesh, where any source of pollution is located, causing adverse impact on air quality in the NCR.
The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance, 2020 was promulgated by the President of India on the October 28, 2020.
The bill seeks to replace the ordinance, provides for the constitution of the commission for air quality management in NCR and adjoining areas.

What is the need?

evolve and implement a consolidated approach for monitoring, tackling and eliminating the causes for air pollution.
identifying, specifying and rigorously enforcing measures for elimination and mitigation of air pollution
limiting and controlling or eliminating the activities of stubble burning, vehicular pollution, industrial emissions, road dust, biomass burning and urban construction.
to have a statutory authority with appropriate powers, and charged with the duty of taking comprehensive measures to tackle air pollution on a war footing with power to coordinate with concerned States and the Central government and issue directions to statutory authorities established under various laws.
It will focus on all sources of air pollution including power, agriculture, transport, industry, residential and construction.
Three sub-committees will assist the commission, including

sub-committee on monitoring and identification;

sub-committee on safeguarding and enforcement; and

sub-committee on research and development.