The Bill seeks to rationalize criminal penalties, particularly for minor, technical, or procedural defaults that do not pose significant harm to humans or the environment.
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024, replaces provisions in the act for imprisonment from three months up to seven years with amended text specifying fines up to Rs 15 lakh and, under certain conditions, Rs 10,000 per day for violations
The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed a Bill which seeks to decriminalise minor offences related to water pollution, enable the Centre to prescribe service conditions of chairpersons of State Pollution Control Boards, and exempt certain categories of industrial plants from statutory restrictions. Rajya Sabha Passes Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill To Decriminalise Minor Offences.