Section 24 Water Act 1974 PROHIBITS any person from:

1. Section 24(1) Water Act 1974: 'Subject to the provisions of this section — (a) no person shall knowingly cause or permit any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter determined in accordance with such standards as may be laid down by the State Board to enter (whether directly or indirectly) into any stream or well or sewer or on land; or (b) no person shall knowingly cause or permit to enter into any stream any other matter which may tend, either directly or in combination with similar matters, to impede the proper flow of the water of the stream in a manner leading or likely to lead to a substantial aggravation of pollution due to other causes or of its consequences.' 2. Section 25 — consent required for new outlets / discharges; Section 26 — existing discharges to comply. 3. Penalty: Section 43 — imprisonment 1.5 to 6 years and fine. 4. Hence option B is correct. _Source: EPA 1986 / Constitution of India / Stockholm/Rio/Paris / Indian SC environmental jurisprudence — Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974, Section 24_