CAQM reviews Haryana and Punjab air-pollution action in Chandigarh
On 3 July 2025 in Chandigarh, the Commission for Air Quality Management chaired by Rajesh Verma held high-level review meetings with the governments of Haryana and Punjab on stubble burning and other pollution measures.
Summary
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), chaired by Rajesh Verma, held two high-level review meetings with the Haryana and Punjab governments in Chandigarh on 3 July 2025, with the Chief Secretaries of both states. The reviews covered preparedness to eliminate paddy stubble burning in 2025, use of paddy-straw biomass pellets in brick kilns, emission norms and minimum 5% biomass co-firing targets for thermal power plants in 2025â26, road dust and vehicular emissions. CAQM was constituted under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021 (Act No. 29 of 2021), which repealed the order constituting the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (static).
Key facts
- Event
- Review meetings with Haryana and Punjab, Chandigarh, 3 July 2025
- Chairperson
- Rajesh Verma
- Topics
- Paddy stubble burning 2025; biomass pellets in brick kilns; 5% biomass co-firing in thermal plants (2025â26)
- CAQM (static)
- Constituted under the CAQM Act, 2021 (Act No. 29 of 2021); replaced EPCA
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Who chaired the CAQM review meetings with Haryana and Punjab in Chandigarh on 3 July 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A â Rajesh Verma
CAQM: the review meetings were held under the Chairmanship of Shri Rajesh Verma, Chairperson of the Commission.
What minimum biomass co-firing target for thermal power plants in 2025â26 did CAQM review on 3 July 2025?
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Correct answer: D â 5%
CAQM: the review covered progress on minimum 5% biomass co-firing targets for 2025â26 by thermal power plants.
Consider the following about the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): 1. It was constituted under an Act of Parliament of 2021. 2. Its Act repealed the order constituting the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority for NCR. 3. Its jurisdiction is limited to the NCT of Delhi only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B â 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct: CAQM was constituted under the CAQM Act, 2021 (Act No. 29 of 2021), whose Section 29 repealed the order constituting EPCA (India Code). Statement 3 is wrong: the Act applies to the National Capital Region and adjoining areas.