New body, old problems

Context: Problems still remains even after setting up the umbrella commission to deal with pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) and its adjoining states.

Features of Commission for Air Quality Management in the NCR and Adjoining Areas:

• Coverage: Monitor and check sources of pollution in five northern states — Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

• Powers: 

• Subsumes the existing anti-pollution entities: like Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Prime Minister’s Office and the Environment Ministry.

• It can impose penalties and imprisonment.

Issues with the Commission:

• Multiplicity of pollution regulatory bodies: The Central and state pollution control board and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) will still remain intact, which can cause confusion and conflicts.

• Implementation issues: Need to rely on the existing bodies and state governments for the ground-level implementation of its orders whose past records on implementation is poor. 

• For, E.g. poor enforcement of the Graded Response Action Plan 

• In conflict with the States:  States view this top-down approach as an infringement of the principles of federalism.

• In conflict with the farmers: Farmers in Punjab and Haryana have threatened to disobey any diktat of the commission that goes against their interests, with reference to the ban on stubble burning.

Conclusion: The challenges related to air pollution can be met only through time-bound programmes implemented meticulously through joint efforts of the Centre, states, and pollution control boards.