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Timestamp: 2019-04-23 18:18:04+00:00

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(1) This Act may be called the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
(3) It shall come into force on such date 1 as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
1. Came into force on 16-5-1981 vide G.S.R. 351(E), dated 15th May, 1981, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(i), p. 944.
Rs. 10,000 by way of costs to the petitioner; M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, AIR 1987 SC 965.
Implementation of Laws for Restricting use of Loudspeakers and High Volume Producing Sound Systems, AIR 2005 SC 3136.
1. Ins. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
2. Subs. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 2, for “Central Board for the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution”.
3. Subs. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 2, for clause (m) (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
4. Subs. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 2, for “State Board for the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution”.
3. CENTRAL POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD.
1The Central Pollution Control Board constituted under Section 3 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (6 of 1974), shall, without prejudice to the exercise and performance of its powers and functions under that Act, exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Central Pollution Control Board for the prevention and control of air pollution under this Act.
“3. Central Board for the prevention and control of Air pollution.—The Central Board for the Prevention and control of Water Pollution constituted under section 3 of the Water (Prevention and Control Pollution) Act, 1974, shall, without prejudice to the exercise and performance of its powers and functions under that Act, exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Central Board for the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution under this Act.
4. STATE POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD CONSTITUTED UNDER SECTION 4 OF ACT 6 OF 1974 TO BE STATE BOARDS UNDER THIS ACT.
In any State in which the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, is in force and the State Government has constituted for that State a State Pollution Control Board under Section 4 of that Act such State Board shall be deemed to be the State Board for the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution constituted under Section 5 of this Act, and accordingly that State Pollution Control Board shall, without prejudice to the exercise and performance of its powers and functions under that Act, exercise the powers and perform the functions of the State Board for the prevention and control of air pollution under this Act.
5. CONSTITUTION OF STATE BOARDS.
(1) In any State in which the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (6 of 1974), is not in force, or that Act is in force but the State Government has not constituted a 1State Pollution Control Board under that Act, the State Government shall, with effect from such date as it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint, constitute a State Board for the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution under such name as may be specified in the notification, to exercise the powers conferred on, and perform the functions assigned to, that Board under this Act.
1. Subs. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 4, for “State Board for the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution” (Effective date to be notified).
2. Subs. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 4, for clause (f) (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
6. CENTRAL BOARD TO EXERCISE THE POWERS AND PERFORM THE FUNCTIONS OF A STATE BOARD IN THE UNION TERRITORIES.
7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF MEMBERS.
(b) in any other case, to the Chairman, of the State Board, and the seat of the Chairman or such other member shall thereupon become vacant.
1. The words “but not for more than two terms” omitted by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 5 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
9. VACATION OF SEATS BY MEMBERS.
If a member of a State Board constituted under this Act becomes subject to any of the disqualifications specified in Section 8, his seat shall become vacant.
(1) A Board may constitute as many committees consisting wholly of members or partly of members and partly of other persons and for such purpose or purposes as it may think fit.
(2) A committee constituted under this section shall meet at time and at such place, and shall observe such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of business at its meetings, as may be prescribed.
12. TEMPORARY ASSOCIATION OF PERSONS WITH BOARD FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES.
(1) A Board may associate with itself in such manner, and for such purposes, as may be prescribed, any person whose assistance or advice it may desire to obtain in performing any of its functions under this Act.
(2) A person associated with the Board under sub-section (1) for any purpose shall have right to take part in the discussions of the Board relevant to that purpose, but shall not have a light to vote at a meeting of the Board and shall not be a member of the Board for any other purpose.
14. MEMBER-SECRETARY AND OFFICERS AND OTHERS EMPLOYEES OF STATE BOARDS.
(1) The terms and conditions of service of the member-secretary of a State Board constituted under this Act shall be such as may be prescribed.
1(2) The member-secretary of a State Board, whether constituted under this Act or not, shall exercise such powers and performs such duties as may be prescribed, or as may, from time to time, be delegated to him by the State Board or its Chairman.
(4) The method of appointment, the conditions of service and the scales of pay of the officers (other than member-secretary) and other employees of a State Board appointed under sub-section (3) shall be such as may be determined by regulations made by the State Board under this Act.
(5) Subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, a State Board constituted under this Act may from time to time appoint any qualified person to be a consultant to the Board and pay him such salary and allowances or fees, as it thinks fit.
1. Subs. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 6, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
A State Board may, by general or special order, delegate to the Chairman or the member-secretary or any other officer of the Board subject to such conditions and limitations, if any, as may be specified in the order, such of its powers and functions under this Act as it may deem necessary.
16. FUNCTIONS OF CENTRAL BOARD.
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, and without prejudice to the performance of its functions under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (6 of 1974), the main functions of the Central Board shall be to improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country.
1. Ins. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 7 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
17. FUNCTIONS OF STATE BOARDS.
(j) To do such other things and to perform such other acts as its may think necessary for the proper discharge of its functions and generally for the purpose of carrying into effect the purposes of this Act.
The Supreme Court ordered the closure of limestone quarries which were causing imbalance to ecology and hazard to public health and environment. However, in order to mitigate the hardship caused by such closure to the lessee, Government of India and State of U.P. were directed to give priority and send intimation when­ever any other area was allotted for grant of limestone or dolomite quarrying to the displaced lessees; Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra Dehradun v. State of U.P., AIR 1985 SC 651.
18. POWER TO GIVE DIRECTIONS. .
2(2) Where the Central Government is of the opinion that any State Board has defaulted in complying with any directions given by the Central Board under sub-section (1) and as a result of such default a grave emergency has arisen and it is necessary or expedient so to do in the public interest, it may, by order, direct the Central Board to perform any of the functions of the State Board in relation to such area, for such period and for such purposes, as may be specified in the order.
(3) Where the Central Board performs any of the functions of the State Board in pursuance of a direction under sub-section (2), the expresses, if any, incurred by the Central Board with respect to the performance of such functions may, if the State Board is empowered to recover such expenses, be recovered by the Central Board with interest (at such reasonable rate as the Central Government may, by order, fix) from the date when a demand for such expenses is made until it is paid from the person or persons concerned as arrears of land revenue or of public demand.
(4) For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that any direction to perform the functions of any State Board given under sub-section (2) in respect of any area would not preclude the State Board from performing such functions in any other area in the State or any of its other functions in that area.
1. Section 18 re-numbered as sub-section (1) thereof by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 8 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
2.Ins. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 8 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
19. POWER TO DECLARE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL AREAS.
(1) The State Government may, after consultation with the State Board, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare in such manner as may be prescribed, any area or areas within the State as air pollution control area or areas for the purposes of this Act.
(3) If the State Government, after consultation with the State Board, is of opinion that the use of any fuel, other than an approved fuel, in any air pollution control area or part thereof, may cause or is likely to cause air pollution, it may by notification in the Official Gazette, prohibit the use of such fuel in such area or part thereof with effect from such date (being not less than three months from the date of publication of the notification) as may be specified in the notification.
The power which vests in an authority would not cease to exist simply for the reason that the rules have not been framed or the manner of exercise of the power has not been prescribed; Orissa State Prevention and Control of Pollution Board v. Orient Paper Mills, AIR 2003 SC 1966.
20. POWER TO GIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENSURING STANDARDS FOR EMISSION FROM AUTOMOBILES.
With a view to ensuring that the standards for emission of air pollutants from automobiles laid down by the State Board under clause (g) of sub-section (1) of Section 17 are compiled with, the State Government shall, in consultation with the State Board, give such instructions as may be deemed necessary to the concerned authority in charge of registration of motor vehicles under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939 (4 of 1939), and such authority shall, notwithstanding anything contained in that Act or the rules made there under be found to comply with such instructions.
(iii) standards for emission of air pollutants.
*. See now the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (59 of 1988).
21. RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL PLANTS.
Provided that a person operating any industrial plant in any air pollution control area immediately before the commencement of Section 9 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 1987, for which no consent was necessary prior to such commencement, may continue to do so for a period of three months from such commencement or, if he has made an application for such consent within the said period of three months, till the disposal of such application.
Provided that where any person, immediately before the declaration of any area as an air pollution control area, operates in such area any industrial plant 2such person shall make the application under this sub-section within such period (being not less than three months from the date of such declaration) as may be prescribed and where such person makes such application, he shall be deemed to be operating such industrial plant with the consent of the State Board until the consent applied for has been refused.
Provided further that before cancelling a consent or refusing a further consent under the first proviso, a reasonable opportunity of being heard shall be given to the person concerned.
(c) After the erection or re-erection of any chimney under clause (iv), no control equipment or chimney shall be altered or replaced or, as case may be, erected or re-erected except with the previous approval of the State Board.
Where a notification was issued under section 19(1) of the Act by the Central Govern­ment in consultation with the Central Board placing the Union territory of Delhi within the control area of air pollution, any plant if established has to take permission from the Central Board. In the present case the Sriram Plants of Delhi fell under the schedule of the industries specified in the Act, and had to obtain consent order under section 21 thereof. Accordingly if the Cen­tral Board at any stage found that the conditions in the consent order relating to power plant were not complied with and the particular matter emitted by the stacks of the boilers was more than 150 mg/Nm3 it could take whatever action as was warranted by law; M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, (1986) 2 SCC 176.
1. Subs. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 9, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
2. The words “for the purpose of any industry specified in the schedule” omitted by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 9 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
3. Subs. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 9, for certain words (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
4. Ins. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 9 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
5. The words “for the purpose of any industry specified in the schedule” omitted by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 9 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
22. PERSONS CARRYING ON INDUSTRY, ETC., NOT TO ALLOW EMISSION OF AIR POLLUTANTS IN EXCESS OF THE STANDARDS LAID DOWN BY STATE BOARD.
No person 1[***]operating any industrial plant, in any air pollution control area shall discharge or cause or permit to be discharged the emission of any air pollutant in excess of the standards laid down by the State Board under clause (9) of sub-section (1) of Section 17.
It has been held that manufacturing of medicines by installing a boiler in a residential area which causes emission of smoke is detrimental to the physical comfort and health of the public at large. In such a case removal of factory ordered by the SDM was valid; Krishna Gopal v. State of Uttar Pradesh, 1986 Cr LR 11 (MP).
The Supreme Court has held that since chlorine gas is danger­ous to the life and health of the general public after any leak­age from a storage tank, cylinder or any other point during its production, the health and welfare of the workers and public at large living in surrounding areas may be put to risk. Accordingly the Foods & Fertilizer Industries were imposed stringent condi­tions to carry on such production so that such an eventuality may be prevented; M.C. Mehta v. Union of India , AIR 1987 SC 965.
1.The words “carrying on any industry specified in the Schedule or” omitted by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 10 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
22A. POWER OF BOARD TO MAKE APPLICATION TO COURT FOR RESTRAINING PERSONS FROM CAUSING AIR POLLUTION.
1 POWER OF BOARD TO MAKE APPLICATION TO COURT FOR RESTRAINING PERSONS FROM CAUSING AIR POLLUTION.(1) Where it is apprehended by a Board that emission of any air pollutant, in excess of the standards laid down by the State Board under clause (g) of sub-section (1) of Section 17, is likely to occur by reason of any person operating an industrial plant or otherwise in any air pollution control area, the Board may make an application to a court, not inferior to that of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate of the first class for restraining such person from emitting such air pollutant.
(4) All expenses incurred by the Board in implementing the directions of the court under clause (b) of sub-section (3) shall be recoverable from the person concerned as arrears of land revenue or of public demand.
1. Ins. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 11 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
23. FURNISHING OF INFORMATION TO STATE BOARD AND OTHER AGENCIES IN CERTAIN CASES.
(1) Where in any area the emission of any 1air pollutant into the atmosphere in excess of the standards laid down by the State Board occurs or is apprehended to occur due to accident or other unforeseen act or event, the person in charge of the premises from where such emission occurs or is apprehended to occur shall forthwith intimate the fact of such occurrence or the apprehension of such occurrence to the State Board and to such authorities or agencies as may be prescribed.
(3) Expenses, if any, incurred by the State Board, authority or agency with respect to the remedial measures referred to in sub-section (2) together with interest (at such reasonable rate, as the State Government may, by order, fix) from the date when a demand for the expenses is made until it is paid, may be recovered by the Board, authority or agency from the person, concerned, as arrears of land revenue, or of public demand.
The measures envisaged in the Act are preventive in the case of industries yet to be estab­lished and remedial in case of industries already in existence. The duty of the Board is to mitigate the emission of air pollu­tants and action may be taken on violation thereof but the dras­tic measure of closing down industry is neither warranted nor has the legal sanctity as paralysing the industry would render a number of persons unemployed and the consequences may be more hazardous than air pollution; Chaitanya Pulverising Industry v. Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, AIR 1987 Kant 82.
1. The words “air pollution control” omitted by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 12 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
24. POWER OF ENTRY AND INSPECTION.
(c) for the purpose of examining and testing any control equipment, industrial plant, record, register, document or any other material object or for conducting a search of any place in which he has reason to believe that an offence under this Act or the rules made there under has been or is about to be committed and for seizing any such control equipment, industrial plant, record, register, document or other material object if he has reasons to believe that it may furnish evidence of the commission of an offence punishable under this Act or the rules made there under.
(2) Every person 1f1operating any control equipment or any industrial plant, in an air pollution control area shall be bound to render all assistance to the person empowered by the State Board under sub-section (1) for carrying out the functions under that sub-section and if he fails to do so without any reasonable cause or excuse, he shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.
(3) If any person willfully delays or obstructs any person empowered by the State Board under sub-section (1) in the discharge of his duties, he shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.
1. The words “carrying on any industry specified in the Schedule and every person” omitted by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 13 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
25. POWER TO OBTAIN INFORMATION.
For the purposes of carrying out the functions entrusted to it, the State Board or any officer empowered by it in that behalf may call for any information (including information regarding the types of air pollutants emitted into the atmosphere and the level of the emission of such air pollutants) from the occupier or any other person carrying on any industry or operating any control equipment or industrial plant and for the purpose of verifying the correctness of such information, the State Board or such officer shall have the right to inspect the premises where such industry, control equipment or industrial plant is being carried on or operated.
26. POWER TO TAKE SAMPLES OF AIR OR EMISSION AND PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
(1) A State Board or any officer empowered by it in this behalf shall have power to take, for the purpose of analysis, samples of air or emission from any chimney, flue or duct or any other outlet in such manner as may be prescribed.
(2) The result of any analysis of a sample of emission taken under sub-section (1) shall be admissible in evidence in any legal proceeding unless the provisions of sub-sections (3) and (4) are complied with.
(1) of Section 28 and such person shall inform the Government analyst appointed under sub-section (1) of Section 29, in writing, about the willful absence of the occupier or his agent, or, as the case may be, his refusal to sign the container or containers.
27. REPORTS OF THE RESULT OF ANALYSIS ON SAMPLES TAKEN UNDER SECTION 26.
(1) Where a sample of emission has been sent for analysis to the laboratory established or recognised by the State Board, the board analyst appointed under sub-section (2) of Section 29 shall analyse the sample and submit a report in the prescribed form of such analysis in triplicate to the State Board.
(3) Where a sample has been sent for analysis under clause (d) of sub-section (3) or sub-section (4) of Section 26 to any laboratory mentioned therein, the Government analyst referred to in the said sub-section (4) shall analyst the sample and submit a report in the prescribed form of the result of the analysis in triplicate to the State Board which shall comply with the provisions of sub-section (2).
(4) Any cost incurred in getting any sample analysed at the request of the occupier or his agent as provided in clause (d) of sub-section (3) of Section 26 or when he willfully absents himself or refuses to sign the marked and sealed container or containers of sample of emission under sub-section (4) of other section, shall be payable by such occupier or his agent and in case of default the same shall be recoverable from him as arrears of land revenue or of public demand.
(1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint such persons as it thinks fit and having the prescribed qualifications to be Government analysts for the purpose of analysis of samples of air or emission sent for analysis to any laboratory established or specified under sub-section (1) of Section 28.
(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of Section 14, the State Board may, by notification in the Official Gazette, and with the approval of the State Government, appoint such persons as it thinks fit and having the prescribed qualifications to be Board analysts for the purpose of analysis of samples of air or emission set for analysis to any laboratory established or recognised under Section 17.
Any document purporting to be a report signed by a Government analyst or, as the case may be, a State Board analyst may be used as evidence of the facts stated therein in any proceeding under this Act.
Provided that the Appellate Authority may entertain the appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty days if such authority is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from filling the appeal in time.
31A. POWER TO GIVE DIRECTIONS.
1POWER TO GIVE DIRECTIONS. Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, but subject to the provisions of this Act and to any directions that the Central Government may give in this behalf a Board may, in the exercise of its powers and performance of its functions under this Act, issue any directions in writing to any person, officer or authority, and such person, officer or authority shall be bound to comply with such directions.
(b) The stoppage or regulation of supply of electricity, water or any other service.
The Powers under section 31A are in addition to section 17. Section 17 of the Act is not exhaustive, therefore the general powers to issue directions were also conferred on the Board; Bihar State Pollution Control Board v. Hiranand Stone Works, AIR 2005 Pat 62.
1.Ins. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 14 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
32. CONTRIBUTIONS BY CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to any 1State Pollution Control Board constituted under Section 4 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (6 of 1974), which is empowered by that Act to expend money from its fund there under also for performing its functions, under any law for the time being in force relating to the prevention, control or abatement of air pollution.
1. Subs. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 15, for “State Board for the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution” (Effective date to be notified).
(1) Every State Board shall have its own fund for the purposes of this Act and all sums which may, from time to time, be paid to it by the Central Government and all other receipts (by way of contributions, if any, from the State Government, fees, gifts, grants, donations, benefactions or otherwise) of that Board shall be carried to the fund of the Board and all payments by the Board shall be made there from.
(3) Nothing in this section shall apply to any 1[ State Pollution Control Board ] constituted under Section 4 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (6 of 1974), which is empowered by that Act to expend money from its fund there under also for performing its functions, under any law for the time being in force relating to the prevention, control or abatement of air pollution.
1. Subs. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 15, for “State Board for the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution”.
33A. BORROWING POWERS OF BOARD.
A Board may, with the consent of, or in accordance with the terms of any general or special authority given to it by, the Central Government or, as the case may be, the State Government, borrow money from any source by way of loans, or issue of bonds, debentures or such other instruments, as it may deem fit, for discharging all or any of its functions under this Act.
1. Ins. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 16 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
The Central Board or, as the case may be, the State Board shall, during each financial year, prepare, in such form and at such time as may be prescribed, budget in respect of the financial year next ensuing showing the estimated receipt and expenditure under this Act, and copies thereof shall be forwarded to the Central Government or, as the case may be, the State Government.
1(1) The Central Board shall, during each financial year, prepare, in such form as may be prescribed, an annual report giving full account of its activities under this Act during the previous financial year and copies thereof shall be forwarded to the Central Government within four months from the last date of the previous financial year and that Government shall cause every such report to be laid before both Houses of Parliament within nine months of the last date of the previous financial year.
(2) Every State Board shall, during each financial year, prepare, in such form as may be prescribed, an annual report giving full account of its activities under this Act during the previous financial year and copies thereof shall be forwarded to the State Government within four months from the last date of the previous financial year and that Government shall cause every such report to be laid before the State Legislature within a period of nine months from the last date of the previous financial year.
1.Subs. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 17, for section 35 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
(1) Every Board shall, in relation to its functions under this Act, maintain proper accounts and other relevant records and prepare an annual statement of accounts in such form as may be prescribed by the Central Government or, as the case may be, the State Government.
(4) Every auditor appointed to audit the accounts of the Board under this Act, shall have the right to demand the production of books, accounts, connected vouchers and other documents and papers and to inspect any of the offices of the Board.
37. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 21 OR SECTION 22 OR WITH THE DIRECTIONS ISSUED UNDER SECTION 31-A.
1 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 21 OR SECTION 22 OR WITH THE DIRECTIONS ISSUED UNDER SECTION 31-A.
(1) Whoever fails to comply with the provisions of Section 21 or Section 22 or directions issued under Section 31-A, shall, in respect of each such failure, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year and six months but which may extend to six years and with fine, and in case the failure continues, with an additional fine which may extend to five thousand rupees for every day during which such failure continues after the conviction for the first such failure.
(2) If the failure referred to in sub-section (1) continues beyond a period of one year after the date of conviction, the offender shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than two years but which may extend to seven years and with fine.
1. Subs. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 18, for section 37 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
(g) For the purpose of obtaining any consent under Section 21, makes a statement which is false in any material particular.
Shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with fine which may extend to 1ten thousand rupees or with both.
1. Subs. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 19, for “five hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
Whoever contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or any order or direction issued there under, for which no penalty has been elsewhere provided in this Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with both, and in the case of continuing contravention, with an additional fine which may extend to five thousand rupees for every day during which such contravention continues after conviction for the first such contravention.
1.Subs. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 20, for section 39 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and published accordingly.
(b) “Director”, in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.
41. OFFENCES BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
42. PROTECTION OF ACTION TAKEN IN GOOD FAITH.
No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Government or any officer of the Government or any member or any officer or other employee of the Board in respect of anything which is done or intended to be done in good faith in pursuance of this Act or the rules made there under.
(b) Any person who has given notice of not less than sixty days, in the manner prescribed, of the alleged offence and of his intention to make a complaint to the Board or officer authorised as aforesaid.
Provided that the Board may refuse to make any such report available to such person if the same is, in its opinion, against the public interest.
1. Subs. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 21, for section 43 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
44. MEMBERS, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF BOARD TO BE PUBLIC SERVANTS.
All the members and all officers and other employees of a Board when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made there under shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
The Central Board shall, in relation to its functions under this Act, furnish to the Central Government, and a State Board shall, in relation to its functions under this Act, furnish to the State Government and to the Central Board such reports, returns, statistics, accounts and other information as that Government, or, as the case may be, the Central Board may, from time to time, require.
No civil court shall have jurisdiction to entertain any suit or proceeding in respect of any matter which an Appellate Authority constituted under this Act is empowered by or under this Act to determine, and no injunction shall be granted by any court to other authority in respect of any action taken or to be taken in pursuance of any power conferred by or under this Act.
In respect of any matter which an Appellate Authority is empowered, Civil Court has no jurisdiction to entertain any suit and no injunction shall be granted in respect of any action taken or to be taken by the Authority concerned; A.R. Ponnusamy v. Thoppalam, AIR 2004 Mad 147.
47. POWER OF STATE GOVERNMENT TO SUPERSEDE STATE BOARD.
Provided that the State Government may at any time before the expiration of the period of suppression, whether originally specified under sub-section (1) or as extended under this sub-section, take action under clause (b) of this sub-section.
48. SPECIAL PROVISION IN THE CASE OF SUPPRESSION OF THE CENTRAL BOARD OR THE STATE BOARDS CONSTITUTED UNDER THE WATER (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) ACT, 1974.
Where the Central Board or any State Board constituted under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, is superseded by the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, under that Act, all the powers, functions and duties of the Central Board or such State Board under this Act shall be exercised, performed or discharged during the period of such suppression by the person or persons, exercising, performing or discharging the powers, functions and duties of the Central Board or such State Board under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (6 of 1974), during such period.
49. DISSOLUTION OF STATE BOARDS CONSTITUTED UNDER THE ACT.
(1) As and when the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (6 of 1974), comes into force in any State and the State Government constitutes a 1State Pollution Control Board under that Act, the State Board constituted by the State Government under this Act shall stand dissolved and the Board first-mentioned shall exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Board second-mentioned in that State.
(d) All liabilities and obligations of the State Board of whatever kind, immediately before such dissolution, shall be deemed to be the liabilities or obligations, as the case may be, of the 1State Pollution Control Board and any proceeding or cause of action, pending or existing immediately before such dissolution by or against the State Board constituted under this Act in relation to such liability or obligation may be continued and enforced by or against the State Pollution Control Board.
(d) All liabilities and obligations of the State Board of whatever kind, immediately before such dissolution, shall be deemed to be the liabilities or obligations, as the case may be, of the 1State Pollution Control Board and any proceeding or cause of action, pending or existing immediately before such dissolution by or against the State Board constituted under this Act in relation to such liability or obligation may be continued and enforced by or against the 1State Pollution Control Board.
[Rep. by the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 1987 (47 of 1987), sec. 22 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988)].
(1) Every State Board shall maintain a register containing particulars of the persons to whom consent has been granted under Section 21, the standards for emission laid down by it in relation to each such consent and such other particulars as may be prescribed.
52. EFFECT OF OTHER LAWS.
Save as otherwise provided by or under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 (33 of 1962), in relation to radioactive air pollution the provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any enactment other than this Act.
53. POWER OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO MAKE RULE.
(2) Every rule made by the Central Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both House agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.
1. Subs. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 23, for clause (f) (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
54. POWER OF STATE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE RULES.
(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act in respect of matters not falling within the purview of Section 53.
(3) After the first constitution of the State Board, no rule with respect to any of the matters referred to in sub-section (2) other than those referred to in clause (aa) thereof, shall be made, varied, amended or repealed without consulting that Board.
1. Ins. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 24 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
2. Clause (a) renumbered as clause (aa) by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 24 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
3. Subs. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 24, for clause (w) (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
4. Ins. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 24 (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
5. Subs. by Act 47 of 1987, sec. 24, for ‘‘in clause (a)” (w.e.f. 1-4-1988).
OMITTED BY THE ACT 47 OF 1987.
If the words used are ‘Shall’ then it is taken to be mandatory. As such it is always safer to get the same published in two newspapers i.e. one in English and the other in Hindi or the Vernacular.

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