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Rajya Sabha Approves Extending Water Pollution Act Amendment to Manipur

Parliament acted because the state is under President’s Rule, drawing fresh opposition demands for polls in Manipur.

Overview

  • The Upper House passed the resolution by voice vote to apply the 2024 Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) amendments to Manipur.
  • Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav moved the motion, saying Parliament must legislate for the state while its assembly remains suspended.
  • The amendments decriminalise minor water-pollution offences, replace some imprisonment with monetary penalties, empower the Centre to set service terms for State Pollution Control Board chiefs, and expand Consent to Operate frameworks.
  • Opposition MPs from Congress, TMC, DMK and others pressed for immediate elections and said the changes weaken enforcement and centralise authority.
  • Yadav said states such as Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal have already adopted the law, as the broader dispute over restoring an elected government in Manipur continues.