Punjab Cabinet approves adopting the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024 under Article 252; clears excise policy 2025-26
The Punjab Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on 27 February 2025 approved adopting Parliament's Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024, enacted under Article 252, and an excise policy aiming at ₹11,020 crore in 2025-26.
Summary
The Punjab Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on 27 February 2025 gave its approval to adopt the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024, which Parliament enacted under clause (1) of Article 252 of the Constitution read with clause (2). Article 252 lets Parliament make a law on a State subject for two or more States whose legislatures pass resolutions asking for it; any other State can adopt it later by a resolution. The amendment replaces criminal liability with financial penalties imposed by an adjudicating officer, decriminalising minor offences. The Cabinet also approved the Excise Policy 2025-26, aiming at revenue of ₹11,020 crore, ₹874.05 crore more than the previous year's target. The Punjab Vidhan Sabha later passed the adoption resolution on 28 March 2025.
Key facts
- Date
- 27 February 2025, Punjab Cabinet (CM Bhagwant Mann)
- Law adopted
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024
- Constitutional basis
- Article 252(1) read with 252(2)
- Change
- Criminal liability replaced by financial penalties via an adjudicating officer
- Excise policy 2025-26
- Target ₹11,020 crore
Practice MCQs 3 questions
On 27 February 2025 the Punjab Cabinet approved adopting the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024, which Parliament had enacted under which Article of the Constitution?
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Correct answer: B — Article 252
The Amendment Act was enacted by Parliament under clause (1) of Article 252 read with clause (2), so a State applies it by adopting it.
Consider the following statements in the context of Punjab's decision of 27 February 2025 on the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024: 1. Under Article 252, Parliament may legislate on a State subject for two or more States whose legislatures pass resolutions to that effect, and another State may adopt such a law later by a resolution of its legislature. 2. The 2024 amendment replaces criminal liability for contraventions with financial penalties imposed by an adjudicating officer. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Article 252 allows a law on a State subject for consenting States, with later adoption by resolution by other States, and the amendment adopted by Punjab replaces criminal liability with financial penalties through an adjudicating officer.
What excise revenue target did Punjab's Excise Policy 2025-26, approved by the State Cabinet on 27 February 2025, set?
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Correct answer: C — ₹11,020 crore
The Excise Policy 2025-26 aims at ₹11,020 crore, ₹874.05 crore above the 2024-25 target of ₹10,145 crore.