Chandigarh-Satnam Singh Chahal Executive Director of North American Punjabi Association(NAPA) and Environmental Activist in a press release issued here today said that the recent passage of The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024 in the Vidhan Sabha is a deeply concerning move that undermines efforts to protect Punjab’s water resources. This amendment reduces the punishment for water pollution from imprisonment to a mere fine ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 15 lakh. Such a lenient approach grants polluters a free hand, as monetary penalties alone will not deter industries and individuals from contaminating our water bodies.Furthermore, the decision to include one member from the Centre raises questions about the state’s autonomy in addressing its environmental crises. Punjab is already grappling with severe water pollution, which poses a grave threat to public health. By weakening the legal deterrents against pollution, this law amounts to slow poisoning of the people of Punjab. If strict measures are not enforced, no one will take responsibility for treating polluted water, and the consequences will be devastating for both human health and the environment. Chahal urged the government to reconsider this amendment and implement stronger punitive measures to ensure the protection of our water resources for future generations.”