‘Law on punitive steps for soiling water bodies being diluted’

Ahead of the wheat harvesting season, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC), the farmers’ body, has criticised the government for removing the provision of imprisonment for polluting water bodies under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

In a statement issued here on Saturday, KMSC general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said that the Central Government had last year brought the amendment after the state government led by the Aam Aadmi Party too had passed it.

“Earlier, the Act had provision for imprisonment ranging from one year to six years if any industry was found polluting water bodies. The provision has now been replaced with a fine ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 15 lakh. Most of the big industries would not even think twice if they have to pay Rs 15 lakh. However, it is another question as to which official would dare to question these industrial units, when he knows that they are close to his political masters,” said Pandher.

The farmer leader stated that the government would soon start registering FIRs against farmers for burning crop residue. He said that poor farmers who are not getting a fair price for their agricultural produce are expected to contribute towards maintaining the environment and they are punished heavily if they are found to be on wrong side of the law, but the big corporate houses go scot-free.

The farmer leader also accused the state government of pursuing the policies of BJP. He said that the government has now started demolishing the houses of drug peddlers and big smugglers have not even been touched. The BJP and AAP are trying to crush farmers’ movement through character assassination of their leaders, he said.

Amritsar