Fines, not jail time – how Modi govt aims to make environment laws ‘tougher’

New Delhi: Criminal liability for certain offences under environmental protection laws could be replaced with financial penalties, the central government has proposed in consultation papers released last week. These proposals seek to decriminalise violations of certain provisions in the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air…