Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024:
The two houses of the Parliament recently approved the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024.
Major Provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024:
- The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, has long been a cornerstone of India’s environmental legislation to ensure sustainable management of water resources.
- The recent amendment seeks to address certain shortcomings and adapt regulatory frameworks to contemporary needs.
- Amendments in the Water Act are also necessary to make in line with the Air Act, as both laws contain similar provisions
Major Amended Provisions:
- It focuses on decriminalising minor offences related to water pollution, alleviating fears of imprisonment for technical or procedural lapses.
- The rationale is to ensure penalties align with the severity of offences, promoting compliance without overly burdening stakeholders.
- The amended bill empowers the central government to exempt specific categories of industrial plants from certain statutory restrictions, such as those outlined in Section 25 regarding the establishment of new outlets and discharges.
- This provision intends to streamline regulatory processes and reduce duplication of surveillance efforts, and alleviate unnecessary burdens on regulatory agencies, promoting efficiency.
- It introduces measures to enhance regulatory oversight and standardisation across states.
- It grants the central government authority to prescribe guidelines for the nomination of chairpersons of State Pollution Control Boards and issue directives regarding the grant, refusal, or cancellation of industry-related consents.
- It provides certain mandatory qualifications, experience, and procedures to ensure fair appointment of chairpersons.
