❖ The Union Environment Ministry has notified new rules for holding inquiry and imposing penalties for the violations of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

❖ The new Rules – Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) (Manner of Holding Inquiry and Imposition of Penalty) rules, 2024, came into effect immediately. ❖ As per the recent amendment, offences and violations of the Act were decriminalised, replacing them with penalties instead.

❖ Non-polluting ‘white’ category industries are exempt from prior permissions.

❖ It has allowed the Centre to appoint officers to adjudicate offences, violations and determine penalties.

❖ The Central Pollution Control Board, State Pollution Control Boards, and Pollution Control Committees are also involved.

❖ The adjudication officer then has powers to issue notice to persons against whom complaints have been filed, detailing the nature of contravention alleged or committed.

❖ The alleged violator could defend themselves or through a legal representative.