India, Feb. 16 -- Environment minister claims impetus to industries, improvement of environment protection while moving bill in Parliament

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 was a failure and needed a revamp, but the latest changes introduced to the Act by the central government are exactly the opposite of what was required, according to environment experts.

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024 proposing changes to the Act was moved and cleared in both houses of the Parliament within a span of 72 hours. The legislation weakens the original Act that came into force 50 years ago. Central and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB) are based on the 1974 Act.

The amendment was first brou...