Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
The Commission for Air Quality Management was formed in October 2020 by an ordinance “The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance 2020”,.
Now this ‘Air Quality Management Commission’ constituted by the Central Government has been repealed within five months of its formation.
In view of the increasing pollution in Delhi-NCR, the Center had constituted the commission by issuing an ordinance and made a provision of five years imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs.1 crore against the violators.
It is noteworthy that M.M.Kutty, former Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, was made the Chairman of this ‘Air Quality Management Commission’.
Background:
- In last October, the President approved the “The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance 2020” to deal with the air pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR.
- With the end of the ordinance period, this commission has also been closed. It is important that any ordinance has to be introduced in Parliament within 6 weeks of the commencement of the session of Parliament.
- “The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance 2020”, could not be tabled in the House within six weeks of the commencement of the session of Parliament, due to which the validity of this ordinance was over and the Commission was dissolved.
Ordinance:
- Under Article 123 of the Constitution, the President has the power to issue ordinances in the event of Parliament not being in session.
- The power of the ordinance is equal to the law made by the Parliament and it comes into force immediately.
- The ordinance must be passed by both the houses within 6 weeks of the commencement of the session; otherwise it becomes inoperative at the end of its term.
- The Constituent Assembly made the provision of the ordinance with the idea of establishing control over the then circumstances. The duration of the ordinance is a minimum of six weeks and a maximum of six months.
Air Quality Management Commission:
- Under this commission, a provision was made to set up an 18-member (one chairman and 17 members), Air Quality Management Commission.
- This commission, set up for air quality management, was to replace the Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA).
- The Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) was constituted by the Supreme Court as the apex monitoring body in pollution cases in the country.
- The Commission was dedicated to work towards better coordination of air quality index, research, identification and resolution of problems related to air quality.
Source – The Hindu
