CAQM Deploys Central Flying Squads Across Punjab and Haryana to Intensify Ground-Level Monitoring Against Stubble Burning
Distilled Policy Brief
- The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has deployed central 'Flying Squads' across 34 districts in Punjab (18 districts) and Haryana (16 districts) from October 1 to November 30, 2026, to intensify ground-level monitoring against paddy stubble burning.
- The flying squads work in coordination with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), state pollution control boards, and district administrations, submitting daily ground assessment reports to the CAQM cell to ensure immediate preventive actions during the peak harvesting season.
- This strategic field-level intervention aims to bridge implementation gaps, enhance inter-agency coordination, and curb air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is a statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021, tasked with coordinating measures to abate air pollution in the NCR.
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Analyze the institutional mechanisms and collaborative enforcement strategies required between central bodies like CAQM and state agricultural machinery to address the perennial crisis of crop residue burning in northwestern India.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and its recent measures to curb air pollution, consider the following statements regarding the deployment of 'Flying Squads' in 2026: 1. The central flying squads were deployed across 34 districts covering Punjab and Haryana to intensify ground-level monitoring against paddy stubble burning. 2. These squads operate independently of state pollution control boards and district administrations, submitting reports directly to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- [A] 1 only
- [B] 2 only
- [C] Both 1 and 2
- [D] Neither 1 nor 2
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Statement 1 is correct because the CAQM deployed central flying squads across 34 districts in Punjab (18 districts) and Haryana (16 districts) from October 1 to November 30, 2026. Statement 2 is incorrect because the squads do not operate independently; rather, they work in coordination with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), state pollution control boards, district administrations, and the CAQM cell.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.