The Commission For Air Quality Management In The National Capital Region And Adjoining Areas Bill, 2021::
The bill will be introduced in the parliament by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF).
- The bill will establish the commission and replace an ordinance.
- The Bill has taken into consideration the concerns of the farmers following several rounds of negotiations, after they had raised concerns of stiff penalties and possible jail terms for stubble burning.
Changes made:
- The government has decriminalised the act of stubble burning and withdrawn the clause for possible jail time.
- However, environmental compensation fees are levied on those who are found to be engaged in stubble burning, including farmers.
About the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM):
- The Commission was first formed by an ordinance in October 2020.
- The erstwhile Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, or EPCA had been dissolved to make way for the Commission.
- The Commission will be a statutory authority.
- The Commission will supersede bodies such as the central and state pollution control boards of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan.
- Composition:
- Chairperson: To be chaired by a government official of the rank of Secretary or Chief Secretary.
- The chairperson will hold the post for three years or until s/he attains the age of 70 years.
- It will have members from several Ministries as well as representatives from the stakeholder States.
- It will have experts from the Central Polluti
