About CAQM

• • The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital region and adjoining areas is a statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas, Act, 2021. 
  • The Commission has been established for better coordination, research, identification and resolution of problems surrounding matters related to air quality in NCR and adjoining areas.

• Adjoining areas have been defined as areas in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, adjoining the National Capital Territory of Delhi and NCR, where any source of pollution may cause adverse impact on air quality in the NCR.

• CAQM consolidates all monitoring bodies, and brings them on one platform so that air quality management can be carried out in a more comprehensive, efficient, and time-bound manner.

What are the powers of the commission?

• The Commission is the most powerful air pollution monitoring body set up by the Centre to date. 
  • The rulings by the commission on air pollution will override anything contained in any other law.
• The powers of the commission will also supersede that of any other body in matters of air pollution. 
  • Therefore, in cases where conflict may arise between orders or directions issued by the other state governments, state pollution control boards or even the Central Pollution Control Board, the orders of the commission will prevail.
• The Commission will have the power to take measures, issue directions and entertain complaints for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of air in the National Capital Region.
• It will also coordinate action taken by states on air pollution and will lay down parameters for air quality and emission or discharge of environmental pollutants. 
• It will also have powers to restrict industries in any area, carry out random inspections of any premises including factories and be able to close down an industry or cut its power and water supply in case of non-compliance.
• It will also be monitoring the measures taken by the states to prevent stubble burning.

What will be the composition of the commission?

• The Commission is headed by a full-time chairperson with experience of not less than 15 years in the field of environmental protection and pollution control or having administrative experience of not less than 25 years. 
• The commission also has three members, being stakeholders from sectors such as agriculture, industry, transport or construction apart from representatives of several ministries.
• The Chairperson and members of the Commission will have a tenure of three years or till the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier, and shall be eligible for re-appointment.
• The Act further says that no civil court will have jurisdiction to entertain any suit, proceeding or dispute pertaining to or arising out of the actions taken or directions issued by the commission and that orders of the commission can only be contested before the National Green Tribunal. 

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2064806