In the Rajya Sabha, the Minister of State for Environment, Ashwini Kumar Choubey, presented the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill for 2024. This bill aims to address and amend regulations related to water pollution prevention and control.
On Monday, the Central government introduced a bill in the Rajya Sabha, which proposes amendments to the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974. The bill, presented by MoS for Environment Ashwini Kumar Choubey, seeks to provide the government with the authority to establish norms for appointing chairpersons of State Pollution Control Boards, exempt specific industrial units from regulatory constraints, and decriminalize minor water pollution offenses.
The proposed amendment would apply to Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan initially, with other states having the option to adopt it through a resolution under the existing Act. Currently, the Act stipulates imprisonment for failing to report significant water abstractions or disposal system activities. The amendment proposes replacing this with fines ranging from Rs10,000 to Rs15 lakh.
Furthermore, while the Act mandates the nomination of State Pollution Control Board chairpersons by the respective state governments, the amendment seeks to empower the Central government to prescribe the nomination process.
Additionally, the bill grants the Centre the authority to exempt certain categories of industrial plants from restrictions on new outlets and discharges. It also allows for the issuance of guidelines pertaining to the establishment and operation of industries.