Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR, Areas Bill passed by LS

A bill which seeks to set up a statutory authority with appropriate powers to tackle air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

'The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Bill, 2021', introduced last week, was moved for consideration and passage by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav amid din created by opposition members over the Pegasus spying row and farmers' issue.

Moving the bill, Yadav said it is an important mechanism to tackle pollution in the NCR and urged all members to support the legislation.

Several amendments moved by Opposition members were rejected by a voice vote and amid sloganeering, the bill was passed.

Once passed by Rajya Sabha, the bill will replace an ordinance issued in the recent past.

The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill, piloted by Yadav, states that it was noticed there is lack of a permanent, dedicated and participative mechanism adopting a collaborative and participatory approach involving relevant central ministries, state governments, local bodies and other stakeholders to tackle air pollution, in the NCR and adjoining areas.

"It is observed that sources of air pollution, particularly in the National Capital Region, consist of a variety of factors which are beyond the local limits of the National Capital Region.

"Special focus is required on all sources of air pollution which are associated with different economic sectors, including power, agriculture, transport, industry, residential and construction," it read.

Since air pollution is not a localised phenomenon, the effect is felt in areas even far away from the source, creating the need for regional-level initiatives through inter-state and inter-city coordination in addition to multi-sectorial synchronisation, the statement of objects said.

For a permanent solution and to establish a self-regulated, democratically-monitored mechanism for tackling air pollution in NCR, it was deemed necessary to take up immediate legislative measures to set up a Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, that would replace old panels to streamline public participation, inter-state cooperation, expert involvement and persistent research and innovation, it noted.

As Parliament was not in session and there was an immediate need for legislation in this regard, the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance, 2020, was promulgated on October 28, 2020.

But a bill to replace the ordinance could not be introduced in Parliament. Consequently, the Ordinance lapsed on March 12, 2021. Thereafter, the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance, 2021 was promulgated on April 13, 2021.