The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024

News: Recently, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha aiming to amend the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

Key provisions:
• The bill proposes the appointment of an ‘adjudication officer’ who will decide on the penalty in cases of environmental violations.
• The Bill 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.
• The bill aims to decriminalise the existing provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, which means that instead of imprisonment, violators would be required to pay a fine.
• The 1974 Act currently prescribes imprisonment of up to three months for not informing the State Board about abstraction of water from a stream or well in a substantial volume and not providing information about construction, installation, or operation of disposal system. The Bill amends it to a fine between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15 lakh.
• Uniformity in appointment of Chairman of SPCBs: The 1974 Act states the Chairman of the State Pollution Control Board was nominated by the State government, to which the Bill adds ‘in such a manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government’.
• The Bill enables the Centre to ‘exempt certain categories of industrial plants’ from the restrictions on new outlets and discharges.

Primary causes of Water pollution in India:
• Industrial Waste: Industries produce a large amount of waste containing dangerous chemicals and toxins. Many businesses release this waste into freshwater, which eventually flows into canals, rivers, and the sea.
• Agricultural Runoff and Industrial Wastewater: Pesticides and other contaminants from agricultural activities and industrial wastewater are major contributors to water pollution.
• Untreated Sewage: There is a large gap between the generation and treatment of domestic wastewater in India. The untreated sewage often percolates into the soil or evaporates, causing unhygienic conditions and releasing pollutants that leach into surface and groundwater.
• Heavy metals are another significant source of water pollution. They contaminate India’s rivers, posing severe health risks. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) identified 351 polluted river stretches in India, with Maharashtra having the highest number of polluted rivers.

Steps taken by government to address the issue:
• The Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act and the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, aim to prevent pollution in water bodies.
• However, effective implementation and enforcement of these laws remain a challenge.
• CPCB performs functions as laid down under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

DICS Branches

Our Branches

DICS Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad

(Head Office)

Address : 506, 3rd EYE THREE (III), Opp. Induben Khakhrawala, Girish Cold Drink Cross Road, CG Road, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, 380009.


Mobile : 8469231587 / 9586028957

Telephone : 079-40098991

E-mail: dics.upsc@gmail.com

Gandhinagar

Address: A-306, The Landmark, Urjanagar-1, Opp. Spicy Street, Kudasan – Por Road, Kudasan, Gandhinagar – 382421


Mobile : 9723832444 / 9723932444

E-mail: dics.gnagar@gmail.com

DICS Vadodara

Vadodara

Address: 2nd Floor, 9 Shivali Society, L&T Circle, opp. Ratri Bazar, Karelibaugh, Vadodara, 390018


Mobile : 9725692037 / 9725692054

E-mail: dics.vadodara@gmail.com

DICS Surat

Surat

Address: 403, Raj Victoria, Opp. Pal Walkway, Near Galaxy Circle, Pal, Surat-394510


Mobile : 8401031583 / 8401031587

E-mail: dics.surat@gmail.com

DICS New Delhi

New Delhi(In Association with Edge IAS)

Address: 57/17, 2nd Floor, Old Rajinder Nagar Market, Bada Bazaar Marg, Delhi-60


Mobile : 9104830862 / 9104830865

E-mail: dics.newdelhi@gmail.com