The Rajya Sabha enacted the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024, which changed several of the regulations in the existing 1974 law. The changes focus on fines for industries that violate pollution regulations. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav believes that these improvements will benefit both industry and the environment. Instead of punishment, industries will be fined for the majority of violations.
The bill also grants the central government broader authority to set regulations and exceptions for industries. However, other legislators are concerned that these reforms would have a negative long-term impact on the environment. They say that the government prioritizes industry over environmental protection. Meanwhile, worries about the cleanliness of rivers such as the Ganga and the management of water resources persist. The government claims that the new restrictions will encourage firms to follow environmental laws more rigorously, but critics remain skeptical of the overall impact.
To put it simply, the government has established a new water pollution law. This law alters how enterprises are penalized for polluting water. Instead of going to court, industries will pay fines for violating the guidelines. The government can also determine which industries require authorization to operate.
Some people are concerned that these developments may affect the environment. They believe the government provides excessive assistance to industries. The purity of waterways, such as the Ganga, remains a major problem. The government claims that the new standards would improve industries' compliance with the law, but some are doubtful. They believe that the alterations may be detrimental to nature in the long run.