COMMISSION OF AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT (CAQM)
30.09.2024
COMMISSION OF AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT (CAQM)
IN NEWS
- Recently, the Supreme Court reiterated that the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and surrounding areas 'needs to be more active' in addressing pollution caused by stubble burning within its jurisdiction.
ABOUT CAQM
- Statutory Body: Under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.
- Aim: To address air quality issues in the National Capital Region (NCR) and surrounding states, including Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
- Objectives
- Coordination: To enhance coordination among various state governments and agencies involved in air quality management.
- Research and Development: To conduct research and identify effective strategies for air pollution control.
- Composition
- A Chairperson.
- A member-secretary of Joint Secretary rank.
- 3 independent technical members with expertise in air pollution.
- 3 members from non-governmental organisations.
- Ex-officio members from central and state governments, as well as technical members from organisations like the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and NITI Aayog.
- Powers
- Issuing binding directions to state governments and local authorities. ○ Conducting inspections and investigations related to air quality.
- Imposing penalties for non-compliance, including imprisonment of up to five years or fines up to ₹1 crore. (Under section-14)
- Monitoring the actions taken by states to prevent stubble burning.
- CAQM can shut down industries or cut their water and power supply if they don't comply with regulations.