December 5, 2019

 

 

Topic: Groundwater conservation.

 

News:- A ‘ diluted’ version of the Punjab Water Regulation and Development Authority is approved by the government.

 

Background: The condition of Punjab’ s groundwater is not satisfactory.

• Punjab has the Highest water exploitation rate and maximum dark zones percentage ( which shows water-scarce regions).

 

About the water regulatory authority:-

• It will comprise a chairperson, 2 members.
• An advisory committee of 5 experts for assistance.
• An officer ( retired as well) of the rank of special secretary or higher can also be appointed as the secretary of the authority.
• A council with CM as the Chairman and Water Minister as the vice – president and other ministers can also be instituted.

 

Other important aspects:-

• The proposed authority will be  Empowered to issue tariff orders for use of water for industrial and commercial purposes.
• The authority would also be issuing general directions related to the extraction and use of groundwater.
• It would also ensure optimum use of water resources in the state by regulating groundwater as well as canal water.
• The authority would have the right to impose financial penalties upon non – compliance of its orders.
• The water authority will also possess the powers of a civil court.

 

But there are some issues with the bill. These are:-

• The agricultural sector has been kept out of its purview. ( Which consumes around 90% of the groundwater).
• Domestic and drinking water areas have also not been included.
• Political interference and populism have been touted as a reason for introducing a weak regulatory body.
• As still, the state government has all the authority with respect to water management.

(Source:- The Tribune)

 

 

Topic: Water resources.

 

News:-The Punjab government has decided to increase prices for the use of river or canal water, other than Agriculture.

• It is being estimated that the revenue generation may increase from rupee 24 crores to rupees 319 crores.
• The resources gained would be used by the water resources department to streamline the maintenance of canals.

(Source:- The Tribune)

 

 

Topic: Industrial relations

 

News:- The Punjab cabinet has amended many laws associated with labour and Industry.

• The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 has been amended to provide a time limit of 3 years to raise an industrial dispute before q conciliation officer.

 

Also, now any industry employing more than or equal to 100 persons would not be required to take prior approval from the state government before:-

• Liquidation or closing down of the firm
• Laying off workers.
• Retrenchments or lockouts cases.
• Any firm having at least 300 persons would be required to take permission.

(Source:- The Tribune)

 

 

Topic: Corporate social responsibility.

 

News:- Hinduja group offers a solution to deal with paddy stubble burning problem.

• The group asserts that it would lift all the paddy straw from the field for use in ethanol plants.
• The Hinduja group also offered to provide technological and Transport related help to tackle the Stubble burning issue.
• The tippers of the group can ensure timely lifting of stubble from the fields.
• Besides, the group can invest in the banking sector to deal with the unemployment problem.
• The discussions of Hinduja group were held with the Punjab government at the progressive Punjab Investors Summit.

(Source:- The Tribune)

 

 

Topic: Transport and Governance.

 

News:- Punjab partners with the World Economic Forum to promote e- mobility in the state.

 

•  The government seeks to design a public-private pilot project to promote clean e- mobility.
• It also seeks to deal with the problem of environmental pollution in the state.
• Punjab is also coming up with its own Electric Vehicles policy, where they will promote components manufacturing base and skilled labour.
• This collaboration with the Punjab government is a part of the WEF annual meeting agenda.

 

The state Is actively promoting e- mobility across the state by:-

• Banning the registration of diesel/ petrol 3- wheelers in 5 districts.
• The government is also keen to set up EV/ battery units in the new Industrial park located over  380 acres in Dhanansu village of Ludhiana.
• Punjab is soon to get India’s first auto shredding plant, with the capacity to handle two lakh cars per annum in an 8- hour shift.

(Source:- The Tribune)

 

 

Topic: Environment

 

News:- NGT prepares new deadlines for the projects to arrest the pollution levels.

 

Background: the bad condition of water effluents treatment plant in Jalandhar and pollution of water bodies and other sources.

• The monitoring committee of NGT has a 2 – year deadline for the completion of various projects so that the pollutants could be stopped from entering the drains.
• Rationalising per capita water usage has also been directed. ( The water consumption is 100 litres more in the state than the national average.)
• The body has also directed that the water meters be installed on tubewells to monitor water consumption.

( The per capita consumption of water in Jalandhar is 300 litres per person, whereas it should be reduced to 150-170 litres ).

(Source:- The Tribune)

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