The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024 is introduced in the Rajya Sabha | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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    The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024 is introduced in the Rajya Sabha

    Posted 06 Feb 2024

    Updated 22 Mar 2024

    2 min read

    • Bill will amend Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 enacted under Article 252 of the Constitution. 

     

    • Key highlights 
      • Empowers Central Government to:
        • Exempt certain categories of industrial plants from provision relating to restriction on new outlets and new discharges. 
        • Prescribe manner of nomination of chairman of State Pollution Control Board
        • Issue guidelines for grant, refusal or cancellation of consent by any State Board for establishment of any industry, operation, treatment, etc. 
        • Appoint Adjudicating officer who is an officer not below Joint Secretary to the Centre or a Secretary to the State to hold an inquiry and to impose the penalty.
      • Penalty for Contravention:  Contraventions of provisions for which no penalty has been provided in the Act shall attract penalty of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15 lakhs. 
        • Persistence of contravention shall attract penalty which may extend to Rs. 10,000 per day.
      • Crediting Penalty amount: To be credited to the Environmental Protection Fund established under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 
      • Appeal: Appeal against the order of adjudicating officer may be made to the National Green Tribunal. 

     

    About Article 252 of Constitution

    • Empowers Parliament to legislate on any matters with respect to which it lacks legislative power except as provided in articles 249 and 250.
      • Article 249 and Article 250 empower Parliament to legislate on matter in State List in the national interest and if Proclamation of Emergency is in operation.
    • Parliament can legislate on such matter, if two or more state Legislatures pass resolution to this effect. 
      • Any Such Act by the Parliament shall apply to States passing such resolution and to any other State by which it is adopted.
      • Also, such Act could be amended or repealed only by the Parliament.
    • Tags :
    • Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
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