This is an archive article published on October 16, 2024
Air quality panel members have sufficient experience, Centre tells SC
The Commission was constituted through the CAQM Act, 2021, which came into force in the same year on April 13. There are 24 members presently as part of the CAQM.
Written by Sophiya Mathew
New Delhi | October 16, 2024 06:11 AM IST
3 min read
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With winter approaching, air pollution and its management once again take centre stage in the national capital. (File Photo)
The Centre Tuesday assured the Supreme Court that members of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), including its chairperson Rajesh Verma, have sufficient experience in the field of air pollution and environmental issues.
“It is also provided in the Rules that the selection committee shall regulate its procedure for making its recommendations after taking into account suitability of the persons, record of past performance, integrity, and such other parameters as it considers appropriate. The appointment of Chairperson and the three full-time (Technical) Members has been done as per the afore-mentioned provisions of the Act/ Rules,” the Centre said in an affidavit.
On October 3, a three-judge bench headed by Justice Abhay Oka directed the Centre to file an affidavit to “satisfy us that the Chairperson has requisite qualifications”. “If there are no true experts in the field of air pollution, this Court will have to exercise powers under Article 142 of the Constitution of India to include some experts in the field. Two posts of NGO members are still kept vacant,” the order had stated.
With winter approaching, air pollution and its management once again take centre stage in the national capital. This also makes questions on the qualifications of the CAQM officials critical.
The Commission was constituted through the CAQM Act, 2021, which came into force in the same year on April 13. The air quality monitoring body is tasked with better coordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems surrounding the air quality index and related matters in NCR and adjoining areas. It has the power to take measures, issue directions and entertain complaints to protect and improve the air quality in the region.
The Commission is required to have a full-time chairperson with experience of not less than 15 years in the field of environmental protection and pollution control, or administrative experience of not less than 25 years.
The issue about the qualification of expert members of the Commission was addressed by learned senior counsel, Gopal Sankarnarayanan. During the October 3 hearing, concerns were raised on the qualification of the three independent technical members, stating that experience in matters related to air pollution was not met nor does the full-time chairperson have experience in ‘environment protection and pollution control’.
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The SC bench took up the matter. In response, the Centre said the Technical Members “possess experience on the subject of Air Pollution”. There are 24 members presently as part of the CAQM.
On requisite qualification of the chairperson, it stated as per the Section 3(2)(a) clause of the CAQM Act, 2021, Rajesh Verma, an officer of the 1987 batch of the IAS, Odisha cadre, “has vast administrative experience of over 35 years. He’s worked in various capacities in state governments and the Centre, including in the area of Energy or Agriculture and Cooperation or Finance and Industries.”
Verma took charge as chairperson on September 9 this year and succeeded Dr M M Kutty, who completed his three-year tenure as a full-time chairperson of the Commission.
Sophiya Mathew is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. She joined the Delhi bureau in 2024, and has specialization in Integrated Multimedia Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai.
Professional Background
Core Beats: Her reporting is primarily focused on the Environment and Education.
Specialization: She has gained recognition for her ground-level reporting on the Yamuna floodplains and the socio-economic challenges faced by those living on its banks. She also focuses on the disparities in Delhi's education system, ranging from elite private schools to government institutions and refugee education.
Recent Notable Articles (December 2025)
Her recent work has been heavily centered on Delhi's severe winter pollution crisis and the government's regulatory responses:
1. The Air Pollution Crisis
"A tale of two cities: Delhi govt schools choke in bad air, private classrooms set up air filters" (Dec 20, 2025): A high-impact feature contrasting the "Clean Air Bubbles" in elite schools with the reality of government school students who are exposed to an equivalent of 17 cigarettes a day due to outdoor exposure.
"Delhi sees season's worst air day, second worst December AQI in nearly a decade" (Dec 15, 2025): An analytical report on the meteorological patterns trapping pollutants in the NCR.
"Delhi bans non-BS VI vehicles from outside: Why curbing vehicular pollution is key" (Dec 17, 2025): Explaining the science behind targeting specific vehicle vintages to lower particulate matter.
2. Enforcement & Regulations
"No fuel at pumps in Delhi without valid PUC certificate from December 18" (Dec 17, 2025): Breaking the news on the environment ministry's strict "No PUC, No Fuel" policy.
3. Education Policy
"Law to regulate school fee in Delhi risks becoming procedural, say parents" (Dec 13, 2025): Investigating the loopholes in the new Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025.
"Monsoon Session: Private school fee regulation Bill cleared after four-hour debate" (Aug 9, 2025): Covering the legislative passage of the controversial fee hike regulation.
Signature Style
Sophiya is known for her observational depth. Her reporting often includes vivid details from school corridors, hospital waitlists, or the banks of the Yamuna to illustrate how policy failures affect the city's most vulnerable residents. She is a frequent expert guest on the 3 Things podcast, where she explains the complexities of Delhi’s environmental laws.
X (Twitter): @SophiyaMathew1 ... Read More
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