Commission for Air Quality Management
- Formed for the National Capital Region and its adjoining areas, the ‘Air Quality Management Commission’ has started to set up a process to establish a ‘Decision Support System’ consisting of a web and GIS as well as multi-model based operation and planning decision support tool.
- This tool will prove to be very helpful in detecting the emission of particles from various sources and the dust particles that are circulating here and there.
About Air Quality Management Commission:
The Air Quality Management Commission was formed in October 2020 under the ‘Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas’, 2020.
Structure:
- The Commission will be headed by an officer of the rank of Secretary to the Government of India or Chief Secretary of the State Government.
- It will be a permanent body and will have more than 20 members. This commission will be a ‘statutory authority’.
- It will supersede bodies like the Central Pollution Control Board and the State Pollution Control Boards of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
- This commission will have the powers to issue directions to these state governments on issues related to air pollution.
Functions of the Commission:
- The Commission will have the authority to take all measures, directives and act on complaints for the preservation and improvement of air quality in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas.
- The Commission will also formulate standards for emission of pollutants from various sources in the environment.
- In order to curb the pollution crisis, the Commission has been given executive powers to take action against those who violate the instructions laid down by it.
Penalty provisions:
- The Commission is also empowered to issue a warrant under Section 94 of the Criminal Procedure Code 1973 for closure or investigation of the site in case of obstruction during the proceedings at a polluting site.
- Failure to follow the orders of the Commission can lead to imprisonment of up to 5 years with fine and the fine can be increased to Rs. 1 crore or more.
- The offense under the ordinance would be non-cognizable and it would be Non-Cognisable under the National Green Tribunal Act at the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Jurisdiction:
This Commission will have exclusive jurisdiction over the National Capital Territory (NCR), including the regions of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in matters related to air pollution, and will work with the respective state governments and CPCB and ISRO.
Punitive powers of the Commission:
Violations of the Commission’s directives, such as setting up an industrial unit in a restricted area, will carry a fine of up to Rs 1 crore and imprisonment of up to 5 years.
Source – PIB
