Five Years In Jail To Rs 1 Crore Fine: Centre Brings New Law To Curb Pollution In Delhi-NCR

The Central government has issued an ordinance, making pollution a punishable offence with a jail term that can go up to five years and a penalty of up to Rs One crore.

On Wednesday, President Ram Nath Kovind signed an executive order to form a committee to look into the air quality management of the national capital and its adjoining areas.

The ordinance entails setting up of a Commission for Air Quality Management for the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

AFP

According to a report by News18, ¡°The 18-member commission will be headed by a full-time chairperson who has been a secretary to the government of India or chief secretary of a state.¡±

¡°Ten out of 18 members of this commission have to be bureaucrats while others are experts and activists,¡± the report added.

AP

The committee will look into the issues of stubble burning, vehicular pollution, dust pollution and other factors that contribute to Delhi¡¯s deteriorating air quality. The committee will have the authority to inspect any premises, close down polluting units and issue disconnection orders.

The ordinance comes two days after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta made a statement before the Supreme Court that the government is contemplating a new law to curb pollution in the national capital.