Parliament has passed the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024 with the Lok Sabha approving it on Thursday.
The Bill seeks to amend the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, has already passed by the Rajya Sabha.
The Act establishes the central and state pollution control boards to prevent and control water pollution. The Bill decriminalises several violations, and imposes penalties.
As per the provision of the Bill, It will initially apply to Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and the union territories. Under the act, the chairman of a State Pollution Control Board is nominated by the state government.
According to the provision of the bill, the central government will prescribe the manner of nomination and the terms and conditions of service of the chairman.
The Bill imposes a penalty between ten thousand rupees to 15 lakh rupees for violation of provisions related to discharge of polluting matter in water bodies but it does away with imprisonment as a punishment.
The Bill obligates the HoD to pay penalty equal to 1 month of their basic salary if the department violates any provision of the Act.
The Bill also allows the Central government to appoint adjudication officers to determine penalties under the 1974 Act. Appeals against the Adjudicating Officer’s orders will lie before the National Green Tribunal, subject to a deposit of 10 percent of the penalty imposed.
Replying to a debate on the Bill, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said, “The Government is committed to the Namami Gange Project and appealed to the members to join hands to make it a mass movement.”
He also said that the guidelines which will be issued under the legislation will in no way encroach upon the rights of the State Pollution Control Boards.
The Minister also assured the House it would be transparent and help promote ease of living and ease of business….adding that the rules framed under the legislation will provide an opportunity to the violators to their views as well.
“There should be more environmental consciousness rather than the application of Artificial Intelligence” he further added.
Earlier Moving the Bill, Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav said, the changes have been brought to give a push to the industrial development and ensure environmental protection.
