Prior to the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, what was the maximum imprisonment on…

Under Section 37(1) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 as it stood prior to the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, failure to comply with the provisions of Section 21 or Section 22 or directions issued under Section 31A was punishable on first conviction with imprisonment for a term not less than one year and six months, which could extend to 6 years, and with fine. Following the 2023 amendment, violations of Section 22 and Section 31A attract civil penalties under Section 37, while non-compliance with Section 21 continues to carry imprisonment from one year and six months up to 6 years on first conviction under Section 39D(1).