All about Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR [2022]

Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)

Introduction

  • Air pollution a major concern, especially in Delhi-NCR
  • Need for coordinated effort to tackle air pollution
  • CAQM established in 2021 to address this

Air pollution has emerged as a major concern for public health and environmental sustainability in India, especially in recent years. The Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) in particular faces acute air pollution problems, with levels of particulate matter and other pollutants spiking to dangerous levels especially during winter.

Tackling the air pollution crisis requires coordinated and concerted efforts between multiple agencies across the centre, states, and local bodies. Recognizing this need for an integrated approach, the central government established the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in 2021. The CAQM aims to streamline inter-state and inter-agency coordination and usher in a comprehensive framework to protect and improve air quality in the NCR and adjoining areas.

Background

  • Multiple agencies involved in air quality management earlier
  • EPCA established in 1998 by Supreme Court order
  • Limitations of earlier framework
  • Need for overarching body with comprehensive mandate

Prior to the formation of Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), air quality management in Delhi-NCR was overseen by multiple agencies and bodies. At the central level, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change was the nodal ministry guiding pollution control efforts. At the same time, the Central Pollution Control Board served as the technical arm for monitoring air quality and emissions standards.

The state pollution control boards of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan were responsible for pollution regulation and enforcement within their respective states. In addition, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) was constituted by the Supreme Court in 1998 specifically for the National Capital Region. The EPCA coordinated action across NCR states to manage air pollution.

While this multiplicity of agencies highlighted the urgency of the problem, it also led to several limitations such as lack of coherent strategy, jurisdictional overlaps, and poor inter-state coordination. There was a need for a consolidated, empowered and overarching authority exclusively focused on air quality management in the Delhi-NCR. This led to the dissolution of EPCA and the establishment of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in 2021.

About CAQM

Establishment and Mandate

  • Statutory body established under 2021 Act
  • Aims to coordinate air pollution control in Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas
  • Replaced EPCA

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was established in 2021 through the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act. This statutory body replaced the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), which was dissolved.

The key mandate of CAQM is to coordinate efforts across states to comprehensively tackle air pollution in the Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas. The adjoining areas include districts of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh which have sources of pollution impacting Delhi-NCR’s air quality.

By establishing the CAQM, the central government aimed to consolidate the plethora of agencies working on pollution control under one unified authority with a clear mandate. The CAQM provides an institutional framework for inter-state coordination as air pollution transcends state boundaries.

(CAQM) commission-for-air-quality-management-in-the-national-capital-region
commission-for-air-quality-management-in-the-national-capital-region

Powers and Functions

  • Overarching powers to protect and improve air quality
  • Key functions:
    • Coordination between states
    • Planning and execution of pollution control plans
    • Conduct inspections and surveys
    • Shut down polluting units
    • Impose penalties
    • Monitor emissions and pollutants
    • Conduct R&D on air pollution etc

The CAQM has overarching powers to take measures to improve air quality in the Delhi-NCR. Its key functions include:

Coordinating actions between the state governments of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to ensure a synchronized approach. Planning and executing pollution control programs across the region. Conducting inspection drives, field visits and pollution source surveys. Issuing directions to shut down industrial units not complying with standards. Imposing penalties in cases of violations.

Monitoring emissions, pollutants and air quality on a real-time basis. Carrying out research and development on air pollution issues along with scientific institutions. Creating specialized task forces and manpower to tackle different aspects of pollution. In essence, Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has been vested with overarching powers spanning planning, regulation, enforcement, grievance redressal and research & development. It serves as the key decision-making authority on air quality governance in the NCR.

Composition

  • Headed by Chairperson
  • Members from central and state govts
  • Technical experts on pollution
  • Representatives from NGOs
  • Ex-officio members from CPCB, ISRO etc

The CAQM is headed by a Chairperson who must have over 15 years of experience in the field of environmental protection and pollution control.

Other members of the commission include central and state government officials, technical experts on air pollution, and representatives from environmental NGOs.

There are also ex-officio members from technical agencies like the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Sub-Committees

  • Monitoring and Identification
  • Research and Development
  • Safeguarding and Enforcement

The CAQM has constituted three sub-committees focused on:

Monitoring and Identification of pollution sources Research and Development on air pollution control Safeguarding and Enforcement of regulations

Significance of CAQM

  • Consolidates multiple agencies under one body
  • Aims to streamline and strengthen air quality governance
  • Addresses limitations of previous framework
  • Vested with more powers to take stringent action

The establishment of Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) carries considerable significance in strengthening air quality governance in the NCR:

It consolidates the numerous bodies and agencies under one unified authority with a comprehensive mandate. This aims to improve coordination and eliminate overlaps. The statutory backing and overarching powers vested in CAQM enables it to streamline and strengthen the air quality management framework. CAQM addresses the limitations of the earlier system which involved lack of coherent strategy and poor inter-state coordination. The commission has been endowed with greater punitive powers to take stringent actions against violations and non-compliance. This will bolster enforcement.

Concerns

  • States’ powers vs CAQM’s overarching authority
  • Dominance of bureaucrats in composition
  • Removal of judicial oversight with scrapping of EPCA

However, some concerns have been raised about certain aspects of CAQM:

States have expressed reservations about CAQM’s overarching powers impinging on their autonomy. The composition is dominated by bureaucrats, with only token representation for environment experts and NGOs. Dissolution of EPCA implies removal of judicial oversight, since it was constituted by the Supreme Court.

Way Forward

  • Effective coordination between centre and states
  • Balance between autonomy and oversight
  • Robust grievance redressal mechanism
  • Participation of experts and civil society

For the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to fulfill its mandate effectively, certain steps need to be taken:

There must be close coordination between the centre and states through forums such as the CAQM Advisory Council. This will help achieve unified strategy. The autonomy of state agencies should be respected while the CAQM provides oversight on cross-cutting aspects of pollution control. A robust grievance redressal mechanism for citizens to raise complaints on pollution issues must be instituted under the CAQM. The commission should collaborate with technical experts, research institutions and civil society organizations to bolster its functioning.

Final Thoughts

  • CAQM holds promise to tackle complex air pollution problem
  • Its success will depend on efficient functioning and cooperation between stakeholders

The Commission for Air Quality Management has been established to comprehensively tackle the complex and challenging problem of air pollution in the Delhi-NCR.

CAQM consolidates the efforts of multiple agencies under one umbrella authority vested with statutory powers to formulate policies, regulate and enforce standards, conduct research and ensure coordinated action across states.

The success of CAQM will ultimately depend on the efficiency of its functioning and the degree of cooperation achieved between stakeholders including the centre, states, local bodies, experts and civil society. It remains to be seen whether CAQM can usher in improved air quality. But it certainly holds significant promise.

What is air pollution official definition?

Pure air is a mixture of numerous gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, and small amount of other gases in a fixed proportion.
If the composition of pure air changes by any means, it is called as air pollution, which have adverse effects on human health, environment, and other living creatures.
According to The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, “air pollution is the presence of any solid, liquid, or gaseous substance in the atmosphere in such concentration as may be or tend to be injurious to human beings or other living creatures or plants or property or environment”.

Official Website Delhi Pollution Control Committee

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