The Union Environment Ministry has published, “The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region & Adjoining Area Ordinance” for Delhi-NCR region. The commission has a task of monitoring, tackling & eliminating causes of air pollution in the area by coordinating with concerned State Governments.
Commission will have powers with which it can act against air pollution at foot level & will coordinate with the NCR States Governments & Central Government. It will also have power to issue directions to statutory authorities under various laws.
Supreme Court’s mandated 22 year old- Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) in 1998 which introduced several important interventions to control pollution. Among those the most significant interventions was conversion of public transports in Delhi to compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle, phasing out polluting fuels like pet coke & furnace oil from industries & imposing pollution charge on old polluting trucks. The ordinance says that with reference to Court orders, various ad hoc committees were formed like the EPCA to assist courts in implementation of its orders but the new commission may exclude them.
The new commission will act completely under the governance of central government and will have members from all NCR states, Central Pollution Controlling Board, from associated ministries (petroleum & natural gas, agriculture, commerce) etc. It will have powers to take decisions & act against pollution sources under various environmental laws, like Environmental Protection Act & Air Act.
