Water pollution curbs: Bill allowing exemption to industrial units tabled
- The Centre recently introduced a bill to amend the existing Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
- It would be applicable to Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, and any other state that passes a resolution under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
Key Amendments Proposed
- Nomination Norms for Chairpersons
- Currently, the Act mandates that the State government nominates the chairman of the State Pollution Control Board.
- However, the Bill introduces a provision for the Central Government to prescribe the manner in which these chairpersons are nominated.
- Decriminalisation of Minor Offenses
- The existing Act stipulates imprisonment of up to three months for certain offences. This includes
- Not informing the State Board about abstraction of water from a stream or well in a substantial volume
- Not providing information about construction, installation or operation of the disposal system.
- The Bill proposes to replace this with fines ranging from Rs10,000 to Rs15 lakh, effectively decriminalizing these offenses.
- Other Provisions
- It empowers the Centre to exempt certain categories of industrial plants from restrictions on new outlets and discharges.
- It also enables the Centre to “issue guidelines” on matters relating to grant, establishment of any industry, etc.
Prelims Takeaway
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
- State Pollution Control Board