Let Polluters Pay

By Dr Arvind Kumar
Recent years have seen pollution becoming rampant in major rivers of India and the level of pollution of ground and underground water is also reaching irreparable intensity. Industries located on the banks of rivers release industiral wastage and effluents into the rivers or bury them underground. Much of the pollution goes unnoticed thanks to the apathy of authorities or nexus between the concerned authority and industry. Pollution is a national problem and it should be dealt with seriously.
The very fact that the polluters remain undeterred by the existing laws makes it apparent that these existing laws are not tough enough to bring the polluters to books. Therefore, the Union Government should consider a law that provides for stiff penalty against those who pollute underground and surface water and country’s vast coastline with human waste, industrial pollutants and dumped or leaked oil. The judicial intervention has resulted in relocation of some polluting industries but judiciary cannot be expected to run after every polluter. It is the duty of the executive to see that pollution control laws are implemented in letter and spirit.
That the legal framework is weak is obvious from the Government virtually doing nothing to punish those guilty of defying the law. The US Administration dealt with BP over the Gulf of Mexico offshore accident that resulted in an oil spill: It compelled BP to pay for the cost of cleaning up the polluted areas and compensate for collateral damages. This is what making the polluter pay means, not vacuous statements and bogus promises. The Indian Environment Protection Act provides for incredibly low fines and there are no special provisions under which offenders can be prosecuted. It is not surprising that violators get away lightly. Stringent measures are called for.