The Punjab Cabinet, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has approved a policy enabling landowners to conduct desilting of rivers, choes, and drains at their expense. They can also utilize the excavated material without charge. This move aims to enhance flood preparedness before the monsoon and improve river flow in critical areas.
The decision allows landowners to desilt rivers like Sutlej, Beas, and Siswan, contributing to better river flow. By permitting landowners to undertake desilting at their own cost and use the excavated material for free, the policy seeks to expedite desilting processes and increase river and choes’ carrying capacity. This initiative is crucial in reducing flood risks and protecting public and private properties.
The Punjab government has identified nine crucial sites that require desilting to maintain water flow efficiency. Failure to desilt these areas could result in silt accumulation, decreased river capacity, heightened flood risks during the monsoon, and unused excavated material.
In a separate decision, the Cabinet has amended Rule 6 of the Punjab Reservation for the offices of Sarpanches of Gram Panchayats and Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads Rules, 1994. This amendment aims to streamline representation across different categories, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Castes Women, Women, and the General category. It mandates a fresh preparation of the rotation roster for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Caste women, and general categories if 10 percent or more of Zila Parishads are affected.
