The law establishes a powerful permanent Commission of more than 20 members for air quality management through strict measures, better coordination, investigation, identification and resolution of problems around the air quality index. Any breach or contravention of any provision / rule or order / direction of the Commission will be an offense punishable by a jail term of up to five years or a fine of up to Rs one crore or both.
The Commission shall have the power to take mitigation measures, issue instructions / orders for motorcycles, and address complaints under any other existing law, such as the Air (Pollution Prevention and Control) Act of 1981 and the Environmental (Protection) Act of 1986. also have the power to prohibit activities that may cause or increase air pollution in the NCR and adjacent areas.
The law provides for actions against the department head if the particular department is found guilty of the crimes / violations of the Commission’s order / direction under this new law.
The Commission, headed by a full-time chairman at the rank of secretary or bureaucrat at the rank of chief secretary, will have three subcommittees: one on ‘monitoring and identification’, the second on ‘safeguarding and enforcement’ and the third on ‘investigation and development ‘to address the issue of air pollution in delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh.
The Commission and the three subcommittees will have representations from Delhi and neighboring states. This permanent body seeks to replace all existing committees to streamline public participation, better coordination, enforcement, interstate cooperation, expert participation, and R&D.
Members of the Commission include the secretary of the Union Ministry of the Environment, senior officials from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan, a technical member of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), representatives of Niti Aayog and several central ministries such as transport. , urban affairs and oil and natural gas, and experts from scientific institutions and NGOs.
A selection committee, headed by the Union Minister of the Environment, will recommend names for the position of president and other members of the Commission. The president will hold office for three years or until his 70th birthday.
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