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Punjab Allows Landowners to Desilt Rivers for Flood Control & Free Material Use

The Punjab Cabinet has approved a citizen-centric policy permitting landowners to desilt rivers, choes, and drains at their own expense. They can use the excavated material free of charge, aiming to enhance flood preparedness before the monsoon season. The initiative targets nine critical sites to improve water flow and reduce flood risks to public and private property. In a separate decision, the Cabinet also amended rules to rationalize reservation categories for local Panchayat leadership positions.

Key Points: Punjab Policy: Landowners Can Desilt Rivers, Use Material Free

  • Strengthens flood preparedness
  • Improves river flow capacity
  • Landowners bear cost, get free material
  • Targets nine critical sites
2 min read

Punjab govt allows landowners to desilt rivers, choes​

Punjab Cabinet approves policy letting landowners desilt rivers at own cost, use excavated material free to boost flood preparedness before monsoon.

"A major citizen-centric decision has been taken by the Punjab Cabinet to approve allowing landowners to undertake desilting of rivers, choes, and drains - Chief Minister's Office"

Chandigarh, April 17

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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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Good initiative for flood control before monsoon! 🚜 But I have a concern. Who will monitor this? We can't have people digging recklessly and weakening river banks. The policy needs clear guidelines to prevent environmental damage and ensure it's done scientifically.
S
Sarah B
Interesting approach. Leveraging private interest for public good. The free use of excavated material is a smart incentive. Hope the identified nine sites see quick action. Flood preparedness is crucial for Punjab's agriculture.
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Aman W
Finally, a sensible policy! For years, the silt has been a problem and a resource going to waste. My uncle's land is near a choe in Jalandhar. He'll be very interested in this. The government should run awareness camps in villages.
K
Karthik V
The second part about rationalising representation in Panchayats is equally important. Ensuring fair rotation for SC, women, and general categories is key to grassroots democracy. Good to see the cabinet addressing both infrastructure and governance.
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Nisha Z
The intent is good, but execution is everything. "At their own cost" might mean only big landlords benefit. What about small farmers? The government should also run some desilting projects in critical areas directly to complement this.

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