NEW DELHI: At a time when air pollution is killing 8 people every day in the national capital and continues to cut Indian’s lives short, a Parliamentary committee has decided to step in to review complexities of regulations and the role of various environmental agencies.
According to sources the panel is keen to review the performance of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in handling very unhealthy air quality in Delhi and the various metropolitan cities, which suffer from unusually high and widespread pollution.
The aim, sources said, is to find out how far this government body has been successful in implementing and maintaining norms across the country. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Subordinate Legislation after taking up the issue recently held the first round of discussion with top government officials including secretary, Ministry of Environment.
“The panel also wants to examine rules and regulations notified so far under the various acts and the areas where rules/regulations are yet to be framed. It would also look into adequacy, efficiency, rationale and whether it requires amendments,” sources said.
It is understood that CPCB officials were quizzed about the stubble burning in Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana and what steps the authorities have taken to control the smog that damages lungs, worsens asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
CPCB officials were also asked whether they can enforce the existing rules in the states and if not what kind of changes in legislation are being proposed so that the central body can jointly work with the states.
“The Parliamentary panel wants to know whether CPCB proposes any amendment in the legislation to bring more stringent penal laws including arrest of persons responsible for causing pollution besides imposing monetary penalty.
The panel also desires to examine the details of penal action taken against defaulters of environmental laws and details of cases that resulted in prosecution. The officials also pointed out that states are not doing enough to clean the air,” the sources further added. It is learnt that CPCB argument in the meeting was limited to various directives it had issued to states and other authorities.
It also gave a status report to the Parliamentary panel disclosing that it has recently issued directions to Agriculture Ministry for six most polluting regions under relevant sections of environment protection act related to stubble burning.
CPCB is learnt to have told the committee that total hazardous waste generation in the country is 7.46 million metric tons per annum from about 44,000 industries. The panel was also informed that 40 common hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities in 17 states and union territories.
“A graded response action for Delhi and national capital region has been notified on January 12, 2017 for reviewing air quality status and taking effective steps according to air pollution level,” the panel was told in the first meeting.
Sources said the panel has asked for a more detailed response from environment ministry and CPCB on air quality and changes they are proposing to amend the existing rules.