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Centre sets up a commission to tackle air pollution in Delhi territory
About Commission for Air Quality Management
- The commission will replace the 22-year-old Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control)
- Composition: The body will be chaired by a government official of the rank of Secretary or Chief Secretary, and will include the Secretary Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and five other Secretary/Chief Secretary level officials as ex-officio members.
- Jurisdiction: It covers Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh under its ambit
- It will also work with CPCB and ISRO, apart from the respective state governments.
- The all-powerful body assumes several powers to coordinate action among States, levy fines — ranging up to ₹1 crore or five years of prison — to address air pollution
- CPCB VS Commission: In case of dispute or a clash of jurisdictions, Commission’s writ will prevail specific to matters concerning air pollution
- the new Commission would be empowered to constitute special investigative groups for stricter implementation
Source: The Hindu
