AAP Waters Down Penalties for Polluters in Panjab

On 26 Mar, expressing concern over depleting groundwater, ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Nabha, Gurdev Singh Dev Maan moved a resolution in the Assembly, urging the Panjab government to take immediate and effective steps to curb the rapid decline. In a session often punctuated by opposition Indian National Congress (INC) MLAs raising questions on the state govt.'s draconian action on farmers on 19 Mar, all parties supported the resolution and passed it. INC MLA Rana Gurjit Singh reminded the house that the previous INC govt. had already formed a committee which predicted in 2021 that unless immediate steps are taken Panjab could become a desert in two decades. He added, 'Panjab consumed 66 billion cubic metres (BCM) of water annually, while the canal water available was only 14.4 BCM.' On 27 Mar, Water Resources minister Barinder Kumar Goyal informed the house that his department had identified 492 pollution points across the state, of which 444 were removed, with the remaining 48 being addressed. However, on 28 Mar, the Assembly passed a resolution by Panjab Parliamentary Affairs minister Dr. Ravjot Singh to adopt the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024. The new law decriminalises several violations related to water pollution and introduces financial penalties ranging from USD 116 to USD 17.5K, rather than the previous provisions that allowed for imprisonment of up to six years. When INC MLA Avtar Henry Junior opposed the resolution, Ravjot Singh said it was for ease of industry. Ravjot Singh said this legislation was enacted by the Indian Parliament on 15 Feb 2024 and Panjab was the 19^th state to accept it. With water pollution cases by industries at Buddha Nullah, Ludhiana being heard at the National Green Tribunal, such a decision amounts to letting off the polluters cheaply (earlier coverage).