Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Amendment Bill Passed

Utkarsh Classes Last Updated 09-02-2024

Bill and Act 5 min read

After the Rajya Sabha Lok Sabha passed the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024.

The Bill intends to amend the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
The Act has provision of the central and state pollution control boards to prevent and control water pollution.

New changes

Decrminlization: Decriminalization of minor offenses, replacing imprisonment with monetary penalties for continued contraventions. Designated officers not below the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India or Secretary to the State government will oversee the adjudication of penalties.
State to apply: It will initially apply to Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and the Union Territories. Chairman: The central government will prescribe the manner of nomination and the terms and conditions of service of the chairman. Under the act, the State government nominates the chairman of a State Pollution Control Board.
Penalty: The Bill imposes a penalty between ten thousand rupees to 15 lakh rupees for violation of provisions related to the discharge of polluting matter in water bodies.
- The changes have been brought to give a push to industrial development and ensure environmental protection.
- The Bill imposes stricter penalties for non-compliance with regulations related to new outlets, discharges, and sewage disposal. The fines collected are designated for the Environmental Protection Fund established under the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986.

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was passed in 1974 with an aim to prevent and control water pollution and maintain or restore the purity of water throughout the country. The Act underwent amendments in 1988.
In 1977 the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act was enacted. It provides for the levy and collection of a cess on water consumed by persons operating and carrying on certain types of industrial activities.
This cess is collected with a view to increase the resources of the Central Board and the State Boards for the prevention and control of water pollution constituted under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. In 2003 Act was last amended.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), statutory organisation. It was constituted under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
Additionally, CPCB was given the authority and duties under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
The organization serves as a field formation that offers technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Its main objective is to enforce the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Its function is to promote cleanliness of streams and wells by preventing, controlling and abating water pollution in different areas of the States.
Additionally, it strives to improve the quality of air and prevent, control, or abate air pollution in the country.