The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM)

Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) Latest News

With the paddy harvest season beginning in northern India, the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has stepped up measures to curb stubble burning, one of the key contributors to winter air pollution in the Capital.

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

• It is a statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas, Act 2021.
• Mandate: Better coordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems surrounding the air quality index and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
• It undertakes action for the prevention and control of Air pollution in Delhi-NCR & Adjoining Areas which impacts the air quality of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
• The Commission is required to coordinate its actions on monitoring of air quality with the government of Delhi and the adjoining states, which includes Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. 

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Commission for Air Quality Management Powers

• Restricting activities influencing air quality.
• Investigating and conducting research related to environmental pollution impacting air quality, preparing codes and guidelines to prevent and control air pollution.
• Issuing directions on matters including inspections, or regulations, which will be binding on the concerned person or authority.
• All the directions and orders by the Commission are of binding nature, and any person, officer, or authority shall be bound to comply with the same.
• The commission is directly accountable to the parliament. 

Commission for Air Quality Management Composition

• Chairperson: To be chaired by a government official of the rank of Secretary or Chief Secretary. He will hold the post for three years or until s/he attains the age of 70 years.
• It will also have five ex-officio members who are either Chief Secretaries or Secretaries in charge of the department dealing with environment protection in the States of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Three full time technical members.
• Three members from non-government organisations.
• Technical members from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Indian Space Research Organisation, and NITI Aayog.

Source: TH