Punjab Vidhan Sabha Passes New Law on Water Pollution Amidst Criticism

Punjab Vidhan Sabha adopted the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024 on Friday by passing a resolution to this effect. The act was enacted by the centre, amid criticism by environmentalists. The Punjab Cabinet approved the amended law on February 27 and became the 19th state to adopt the law.

The legislation was enacted by the Parliament on February 15, 2024, and was implemented by Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and the Union Territories.

Opposition to the Act

Cabinet Minister Dr Ravjot Singh moved the resolution, which was passed amidst opposition from the Congress. The act will replace a decade-old statute and will decriminalise several violations relating to water pollution. The act will also introduce financial penalties ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹ 15 lakh against the previous provisions that allowed for imprisonment of up to six years. According to the new rules, the committee electing the chairman of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) will now also have a representative from the centre.

Congress member Avtar Henry Jr. opposed the resolution, stating that the central act was an attack on the federal structure. He also opposed the abolition of provisions of punishments in the new legislation. Jaskirat Singh, an environmental activist of the Public Action Committee, said that the passing of the law was shocking. Singh also added that the resolution should not have been read in CM’s absence.

“It is his daughter’s first birthday. Today, he was busy organising a function in the evening where many officers, leaders and others are invited.”