Discuss the challenges MSMEs face in complying with stricter emission norms, and suggest measures that balance clean air with livelihoods.

In February 2026, CAQM's Direction No. 98 set a uniform particulate matter (PM) limit of 50 mg/Nm³ for polluting industries in NCR. It covers food-processing, textile and metal units [2]. Many of these are MSMEs. Clean air is a valid goal, but the cost of compliance threatens their thin profit margins and the jobs they provide.

Challenges faced by MSMEs

• High capital cost: Units must pay for pollution control devices, emission monitoring systems (OCEMS) and now PTZ cameras with power backup and a constant internet link. A small unit bears the same cost as a large one [1].
• Supply bottlenecks: Industries reported long delays in buying and installing control devices, few agencies to assess them and limited laboratory capacity. This forced the deadline to be pushed to 1 October 2026 [3].
• Stacked deadlines: The camera Order came on 16 October with a 30 November 2026 deadline, about six weeks. It adds to the existing fuel and emission rules [1].
• Fuel transition: Moving to PNG or biomass depends on gas pipelines reaching industrial areas, and coverage was incomplete [5].
• Thin regulatory support: About half the posts in Pollution Control Boards are vacant [6]. Enforcement therefore comes as raids rather than guidance. In Hapur, 16 of 22 units inspected were non-compliant and 12 show-cause notices were issued [4].
• Livelihood risk: Closure is the standard penalty for using unapproved fuel [5], which puts informal jobs at risk.

Measures to balance clean air with livelihoods

• Phased timelines: The Direction 98 extension gave more time without weakening the standard [3]. It is a model for future norms.
• Cluster-based support: Shared gas pipelines, common testing labs and concessional credit for control devices would cut the cost per unit.
• Shared digital infrastructure: CPCB-hosted servers spare each unit from building its own [1].
• Targeted enforcement: CAQM's OCEMS cell recommended notices in 530 of 865 units it checked [7]. Data like this lets regulators focus on repeat violators and give first-time defaulters time to fix problems.
• Staff the regulators: States should fill vacant Board posts so that regulators can advise units, not just raid them [6].
• Airshed approach: A Parliamentary Standing Committee recommended enforcement across the whole airshed (the area sharing the same air), and a switch to clean fuel or orderly closure for non-compliant units [8]. Any closure should come with reskilling for workers.

MSMEs fall short mainly because of cost, capacity and tight timelines, not unwillingness. A "support first, penalise repeat offenders" approach keeps standards firm while making the path to them flexible. It protects the right to clean air under Article 21 and the right to a livelihood under Article 19(1)(g), in line with SDGs 3 and 8.