Imphal: The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed a resolution by voice vote to extend the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024, to Manipur.
Notably, the state has been under President’s Rule since February.
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024, seeks to decriminalise minor offences related to water pollution, enable the Centre to prescribe service conditions of chairpersons of State Pollution Control Boards, and exempt certain categories of industrial plants from statutory restrictions.
It proposes to rationalise criminal provisions and ensure that citizens, businesses and companies operate without fear of imprisonment for minor, technical or procedural defaults. The Bill also seeks to decriminalise minor offences and replace them with a monetary penalty in case of continued contravention.
The resolution was introduced in the Rajya Sabha by Environment and Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav, who noted that both Houses must approve it as Manipur is currently under President’s Rule.
Opposition MPs pressed for elections to be conducted in Manipur, with Congress MP Neeraj Dangi arguing that the resolution was brought to Parliament because the situation in the state remains unchanged. Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev added that many people are still living in relief camps.
Replying to the debate, Yadav said this bill has already been passed by both Houses of Parliament. Several state assemblies, including Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal, have adopted it.
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“Consent to Operate (CTO) and other provisions, which have already been adopted by other states, are also to be implemented by Manipur,” he added.
CTO is a legal authorisation from a state’s Pollution Control Board in India that allows an industrial unit to operate legally by confirming it meets environmental regulations.
