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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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