Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)

Topic: Pollution

Why in the news?

• The Supreme Court sought a report from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on incidents of stubble-burning and action taken against these occurrences.

Source: The Hindu 

About Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM):

• It is a statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas, Act 2021.
• Its mandate is better coordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems surrounding the air quality index and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
• It undertakes action for the prevention and control of Air pollution in Delhi-NCR & Adjoining Areas which impacts the air quality of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
• It coordinates its actions on monitoring of air quality with the government of Delhi and the adjoining states, which includes Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. 
• Powers:
  • It restricts activities influencing air quality.
  • It investigates and conducts research related to environmental pollution impacting air quality.
  • It prepares codes and guidelines to prevent and control air pollution.
  • It issues directions on matters including inspections, or regulations, which will be binding on the concerned person or authority.
  • All the directions and orders by the Commission are of binding nature, and any person, officer, or authority shall be bound to comply with the same.
  • It is directly accountable to the parliament.