CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Cabinet Clears Citizen-led Desilting Policy To Boost Flood Preparedness Ahead Of Monsoon

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.

What did Bhagwant Singh Mann say?

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.”

Are landowners allowed to desilt rivers, choes and drains at own cost?

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.

To ensure timely desilting before the monsoon season 2026–27 and to address non-responsive sites, it has been decided to permit concerned landowners to undertake desilting at their own cost, with free utilization of excavated material for their own use. This will facilitate expeditious execution of desilting works while reducing potential flood risks and associated liabilities.

Did Cabinet Give nod to amend Rule 6 of Punjab Reservation?

In another key decision, the Cabinet also 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 rationalizing representation across categories.

The move is aimed to rationalize the representation to each category for reservation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Castes Women, Women and General category. It stipulates that in case 10% or more of the total number of Zila Parishads in the State are affected, the roster for rotation of the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Caste Women, Women and General Categories shall be prepared afresh.