News Analysis India

Tag: Commission for Air Quality Management

  • Pollution panel bring directive out for keeping air clean for north Indian states

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  The Commission for Air Quality Management on Wednesday issued a detailed action plan for north Indian states to curb air pollution. The plan of action is largely divided on five aspects — controlling stubble burning, dust pollution, waste burning, vehicular pollution and industrial pollution.

    The commission, formed by the Centre as the apex body to figure out an overall plan, has sent the plan to Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. With regard to stubble burning, the CAQM has suggested vast use of Pusa-bio-decomposer technique.

    The ruling AAP government has in the past promoted this technique in the city with good results. Environmental experts have identified dust on roads and construction sites also as one of the major causes of air pollution.

    The CAQM has directed the road owning agencies and municipal bodies for abatement of dust from roads and open areas through a ‘Dust Control and Management Cell’.

    The panel has also issued directions for monitoring of construction and demolition activities through a dedicated web-portal and ‘video fencing’ of projects. To reduce vehicular pollution, the body has asked governments to push for E-vehicles and avoid traffic congestion at entry points into Delhi. 

    CAQM has advised deployment of enforcement teams and implementation of quick-complaint redressal system under the state-wise action plan focusing on avoiding waste burning at landfill sites in the region.

    With a view to minimise coal in industries, government of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have been advised to prepare action plan for shifting of industries to cleaner fuels in the NCR districts, where gas infrastructure is already available.

  • Government plans to introduce 17 bills in Monsoon session, including three to replace ordinances

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The government has listed 17 new bills for introduction in the Monsoon session of Parliament beginning July 19.

    Three of the bills seek to replace ordinances issued recently.

    Once a session starts an ordinance has to be passed as a bill within 42 days or six weeks, else it lapses.

    One of the ordinances was issued on June 30 prohibiting any agitation and strike by anyone engaged in the essential defence services.

    The Essential Defence Services Ordinance 2021 came in the backdrop of the announcement by major federations of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) to go on indefinite strike from the later part of July to protest the government’s decision to corporatise the OFB.

    The Essential Defence Service Bill, 2021 has been listed to replace the ordinance, according to a Lok Sabha bulletin issued on July 12.

    The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Bill, 2021 is another bill that seeks to replace an ordinance.

    According to the government, the ordinance was brought to provide a permanent solution and establish a self-regulated, democratically monitored mechanism for tackling air pollution in the NCR and adjoining areas, rather than limited ad-hoc measures.

    The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2021 also seeks to replace an ordinance issued recently.

    The proposed bill seeks to provide speedier, cost-effective, semi-formal and less disruptive framework for insolvency resolution of corporate debtors in distress.

    The government has also listed The Indian Antarctica Bill, 2021 for introduction.

    The proposed bill seeks to provide a harmonious policy and regulatory framework for India’s Antarctic activities and to provide national measures for protecting the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystem as per the Antarctic Treaty, according to the details available in the Lok Sabha bulletin.

    The Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Amendment) Bill, 2021 seeks to make the system of laying of pipelines for transportation of Petroleum and Minerals, robust.

    The government has also listed ‘The Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2021’ fr introduction in the session.

    “The proposed amendments entail de-licensing of the distribution business and bring in competition, the appointment of a member from law background in every Commission, strengthening of APTEL, penalty for non-compliance of RPO, prescribing rights and duties of consumers,” according to details available in the bulletin.

    The proposed ‘The Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2021 listed for introduction seeks to prevent and combat trafficking in persons, especially women and children.

    It is aimed at providing care, protection, assistance and rehabilitation to the victims, while respecting their rights, and creating a supportive legal, economic and social environment for them, and also to ensure prosecution of offenders.

    According to the financial business listed in the bulletin, there would be a presentation, discussion and voting on Supplementary Demands for Grants for the year 2021-22.

    There would also be a presentation, discussion and voting on Excess Demands for Grants for the year 2017-18.

    Six other bills are pending in various stages before the two Houses and parliamentary panels.