The commission will set up sub-committees on three fields including monitoring of air pollution, enforcement of laws and research and innovation.
New Delhi| The pollution in Delhi NCR has become a huge issue. To deal with the problem, the Central Government has come up with more stringent laws. The new laws can land you in 5 years in jail or fine for up to Rs 1 Crore. The central govt in its ordinance introduced these stringent provisions to deal with the rising pollution in the National Capital Region amid fears of a spike in pollution levels ahead of winter. The ordinance received a nod of the President on Wednesday night, after which the notice was issued.
Commission to Oversee Air Quality Management
The Centre in the ordinance has said that a commission to oversee the Air Quality Management will be set up which will look after the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The commission will have 18 members. Ten among them have to be bureaucrats and Eight will be experts and activists. A full-time chairperson will head the commission and who has been a secretary to the government of India or chief secretary of a state.
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These members will be selected by a Selection Committee headed by Environment Minister and aided by three other cabinet ministers and cabinet secretary. The tenure of the members will be three years.
Issues To Be Handled By The Commission:
The commission has been given the power to set up sub-committees which will focus on three fields including monitoring of air pollution, enforcement of laws and research and innovation. Furthermore, it will also look into the issues of dust pollution, Stubble Burning and vehicular pollution and all other factors that are responsible for the air quality deterioration in Delhi-NCR. The commission will submit its annual reports to Parliament and will be a central body for all purposes.
To Replace EPCA
This commission will be the exclusive body responsible for Air Quality management in Delhi-NCR. It will also replace the Supreme Court-Appointed EPCA. It has been given powers to establish rules related to environmental pollution and emissions. It will have the authority to inspect any premises, close down polluting units, and also issue an order for disconnection of power and water supply. if there is a conflict between the order of the state government, its agencies and the commission, the decision of the latter will prevail. Non-compliance of norms and orders of the commission can result in 5 years of jail or fine up to Rs 1 Crore.
The ordinance comes two days after the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde asked the Centre to place its new law before the court.
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