CHANDIGARH: Punjab Cabinet, led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, has 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, in a move aimed at strengthening flood preparedness ahead of the monsoon while improving river flow across critical stretches.
Disclosing this, Chief Minister’s Office stated: “A major citizen centric decision has been taken by the Punjab Cabinet led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann to approve allowing landowners to undertake desilting of rivers/choes/drains including River Sutlej, River Beas and River Siswan. The decision was taken in a meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.”
*Landowners allowed to desilt rivers, choes and drains at own cost, use excavated material free of charge*
The Cabinet has also given approval to a policy for permitting concerned landowners to undertake desilting of rivers /choes / drains including River Sutlej, River Beas and River Siswan at their own cost and to utilize the excavated material free of cost for their own use.” The spokesperson further noted that the initiative will facilitate expeditious desilting of critical reaches, enhance the carrying capacity of rivers/choes and significantly reduce the risk of floods, thereby safeguarding public and private property.
The Punjab Government has identified nine critical sites where desilting is required to ensure smooth flow of water in view of the upcoming monsoon season. Non-execution of desilting at these sites could lead to accumulation of silt, reduced carrying capacity of rivers/choes and increased flood risk during the ensuing monsoon, besides continued non-utilization of excavated material.