Air pollution in Delhi has been in the ‘severe’ and ‘severe plus’ category for most of the last 10 days.
The Supreme Court criticized the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for its inadequate response to pollution control.
Overview of the CAQM:
Established through an ordinance in 2020, later replaced by an Act of Parliament in 2021.
Created to improve coordination, research, and resolution of air quality issues in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas.
Initial composition:
15 members including officials from the Union and State governments, environment ministry, NGOs, and other agencies.
Currently Headed by Rajesh Verma with 27 members.
The CAQM replaced the Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), established by the Supreme Court in 1998.
EPCA lacked statutory backing and enforcement power.
Key contributions of EPCA included the introduction of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a set of emergency measures to control air pollution.
Powers of the CAQM:
Granted authority under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021:
Take necessary measures to protect and improve air quality in NCR and nearby regions.
Issue directions and entertain complaints.
Section 14 enables the CAQM to take stringent actions against officials not adhering to its orders.
Supreme Court’s Criticism of the CAQM:
SC highlighted laxity in enforcing measures under the 2021 Act.
Key Observations:
“Your directions are in the air” – referring to stakeholders not adhering to CAQM orders.
Noted total non-compliance with the Act and the need for more proactive measures.
On November 18, SC criticized delayed implementation of Stage IV GRAP despite AQI levels falling to the ‘severe plus’ category.
Stage IV is the highest level of GRAP restrictions, meant to be applied pre-emptively.
Challenges and Efforts of the CAQM:
Role of the CAQM is to primarily coordinates plans, while ground-level implementation is the responsibility of other agencies.
Historically focused on stubble burning, now shifting to address dust and vehicular pollution.
Achievements:
Improved coordination for paddy stubble burning mitigation with Punjab and Haryana.
Prepares action plans for stubble burning, updated annually.
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