COMMISSION FOR AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Subject: Legislation

Context: Centre has set up the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region to curb air pollution in Delhi and adjoining areas.

Concept:

• The Commission can lay down guidelines, and ask state governments to curb pollution and stubble burning. It is empowered to inspect any premises and/or order the disconnection of water and electric supply.
• Central body to file annual reports in the Parliament, can be contested only in NGT.
• 18 member Commission will lay down norms to curb stubble burning, pollution.
• Violation of Commission’s order to invite jail term upto 5 years, fine upto Rs 1 crore.
• The new central body will replace the over 2-decade old Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), which was responsible for curbing pollution.

Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority

• EPCA was constituted under section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for the National Capital Region in compliance with the Supreme Court order dated January 1998.
• It has the power to take action suo-moto, or on the basis of complaints made by any individual, representative body or organization functioning in the field of environment.
• It takes all necessary steps for controlling vehicular pollution, ensuring compliance of fuel quality standards, monitoring and coordinating action for traffic planning and management.