Chandigarh, April 17 (IANS) The Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Friday cleared a citizen-focused policy allowing landowners to undertake desilting of rivers, choes, and drains at their own cost, with the right to use excavated material free of charge.​

This decision is aimed at strengthening flood preparedness ahead of the monsoon while improving river flow across critical stretches.​

The Chief Minister’s Office said, “A major citizen-centric decision has been taken by the Punjab Cabinet to approve allowing landowners to undertake desilting of rivers, choes, and drains, including the Sutlej, Beas, and Siswan rivers.”​

The Cabinet approved a policy permitting landowners to undertake desilting at their own cost and to utilise the excavated material free of cost for their own use.​

A spokesperson said the initiative will facilitate expeditious desilting of critical reaches, enhance the carrying capacity of rivers and choes, and significantly reduce the risk of floods, thereby safeguarding public and private property.​

The government has identified nine critical sites requiring desilting to ensure the smooth flow of water. Non-execution of desilting at these sites could lead to accumulation of silt, reduced carrying capacity of rivers and choes, and increased flood risk during the monsoon, besides continued non-utilisation of excavated material.​

In another key decision, the Cabinet approved an amendment to 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, aimed at rationalising representation across categories.​

The move is aimed at rationalising representation within each category for reservation: Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Castes Women, Women, and the General category. It stipulates that if 10 per cent or more of the total number of Zila Parishads are affected, the roster for rotation of the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Caste women, and general categories shall be prepared afresh.​

–IANS

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