GRADED RESPONSE ACTION PLAN(GRAP)

• The AQI is a colour-coded index launched under the Swachh Bharat campaign to simplify the understanding of pollution levels.
• It helps convey the condition of the air and guides appropriate measures based on the severity of pollution.
• The AQI consists of six categories, each with a corresponding colour code: 'Good' (0-50), 'Satisfactory' (51-100), 'Moderately Polluted' (101-200), 'Poor' (201-300), 'Very Poor' (301-400) and 'Severe' (401-500).

7. Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)

• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was established by the Government of India in October 2020 to address the persistent and severe problem of air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining states.
• It was later given statutory backing through the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021. The Commission functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• The CAQM was created in response to the recurring air pollution crisis in Delhi and surrounding areas, which often see hazardous air quality levels, especially during the winter months.
• The problem is aggravated by factors such as stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, industrial and vehicular emissions, and construction dust. Earlier, multiple agencies such as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), state pollution control boards, and environment departments operated independently, leading to poor coordination and weak enforcement. The CAQM was envisioned as a centralized, permanent body to unify and coordinate efforts across states.
• The Commission’s jurisdiction extends to Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, covering areas adjoining the NCR. It is headed by a Chairperson appointed by the Central Government—typically a former Secretary to the Government of India or a Chief Secretary of a state.
• The body includes representatives from central ministries, state governments, the CPCB, ISRO, and NITI Aayog, along with experts in environmental science and pollution control.
• The CAQM is responsible for monitoring, coordinating, and implementing air quality management plans across its jurisdiction. It formulates policies to prevent and control air pollution, enforces existing environmental laws, and ensures that central, state, and local authorities act in a coordinated manner.
• The Commission also plays a critical role in tackling stubble burning, a major seasonal contributor to pollution in northern India. It has the authority to issue directions to central, state, and local authorities, and its orders override those of other agencies within its jurisdiction. Moreover, the Commission possesses powers of a civil court, enabling it to summon individuals, demand documents, and take punitive actions against violators.
• The establishment of CAQM marks an important step in India’s environmental governance. By creating a single authority with comprehensive powers, the government sought to move away from fragmented approaches and ensure consistent, region-wide enforcement.
• However, despite its potential, the Commission faces challenges such as jurisdictional overlaps, limited manpower, and the lack of strong enforcement mechanisms at the local level. Successful functioning of CAQM ultimately depends on the cooperation of states, technological monitoring, and public awareness