Everything You Need To Know About The Commission For Air Quality Management In NCR Bill 2021

The Lok Sabha passed the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Bill 2021.

'The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Bill, 2021', introduced last week, was moved for consideration and passage by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.

The bill will ensure better coordination, research, identification and resolution of problems surrounding the air quality index and work towards providing us better air quality.

¡ª Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) August 4, 2021

Moving the bill, Yadav said it is an important mechanism to tackle pollution in the NCR and urged all members to support the legislation.

Several amendments moved by Opposition members were rejected by a voice vote and amid sloganeering, the bill was passed.

Purpose of the bill

The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill, states that it was noticed there is lack of a permanent, dedicated and participative mechanism adopting a collaborative and participatory approach involving relevant central ministries, state governments, local bodies and other stakeholders to tackle air pollution, in the NCR and adjoining areas.

BCCL

"It is observed that sources of air pollution, particularly in the National Capital Region, consist of a variety of factors which are beyond the local limits of the National Capital Region.

"Special focus is required on all sources of air pollution which are associated with different economic sectors, including power, agriculture, transport, industry, residential and construction," it read.

Since air pollution is not a localised phenomenon, the effect is felt in areas even far away from the source, creating the need for regional-level initiatives through inter-state and inter-city coordination in addition to multi-sectorial synchronisation, the statement of objects said.

BCCL

For a permanent solution and to establish a self-regulated, democratically-monitored mechanism for tackling air pollution in NCR, it was deemed necessary to take up immediate legislative measures to set up a Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, that would replace old panels to streamline public participation, inter-state cooperation, expert involvement and persistent research and innovation, it noted.

The new bill, simplified

• Co-ordination of actions by the Governments of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, officers and other authorities under this Act or the rules made thereunder or under any other law for the time being in force, which is relatable to the objects of this Act
• Planning and execution of a program for the region for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution
• Laying down parameters for the quality of air in its various aspects
• Laying down parameters for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources whatsoever that have implications on air quality in the region.
• The bill will replace the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance, 2020, was promulgated on October 28, 2020.

Though a bill to replace the ordinance could not be introduced in Parliament. Consequently, the Ordinance lapsed on March 12, 2021. Thereafter, the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance, 2021 was promulgated on April 13, 2021.

The bill will now go to the Rajya Sabha, and from there to the President of India for his assent after which it will become a law.

A never ending problem of coordination

The bill comes on the backdrop of the alarming air pollution in Delhi NCR and adjoining areas, which are among the most polluted cities in the world.

Several factors including industries, vehicles, farm fires, and crackers all contribute to the toxic air north India breaths.

BCCL

Though individual states have taken some measures the lack of coordination among the stakeholders meant that not much has changed over the years in the effort to control air pollution.

Most notably the stubble burning which is blamed for the seasonal spike in air pollution levels in Delhi happens in Punjab, Haryana and UP, but the national capital is the worst affected by it.

Though the practice of stubble burning has been banned by the Supreme Court, states, where it happen, have failed to enforce it and almost every year the Chief Ministers get into verbal fights with the Delhi government over who is responsible.