Assam Cabinet Approves Bill for Water Bodies Conservation

The Assam Cabinet approved the Assam Urban Water Bodies (Preservation and Conservation) Bill, which aims to protect and conserve water bodies within the state. The bill will facilitate the demarcation, regulation, and maintenance of water bodies, making it easier to prevent encroachment and ensure proper conservation. Violations will lead to penalties, including imprisonment or fines.

The Assam cabinet on Tuesday approved a bill aimed at the protection and conservation of water bodies within the state.

The Assam Urban Water Bodies (Preservation and Conservation) Bill includes provisions for the preservation, protection, rejuvenation, conservation, regulation, and maintenance of water bodies, including natural water channels, falling within the notified master plan of the state, Minister Keshab Mahanta said after the meeting.

To simplify demarcation and protection from encroachers, all water bodies within the master plan area will be scheduled and notified.

The bill will enable authorities to draft action plans and appropriate schemes for conservation and protection. Information related to water bodies will also be made available online, according to the minister.

Once passed and enacted, no authority can allot land identified as a water body without prior approval from a state-level committee. Violations will result in penalties, including imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of Rs 1,00,000, or both, and offenders must restore the water body to its original state.

Additionally, the cabinet approved the transfer of 33 Pension Sewa Kendras' management from the Department of Administration Reforms, Training, Pension and Public Grievances (ARTPPG) to the Department of School Education effective September 1, aiming to achieve cost efficiency by utilizing the existing infrastructure and expertise of the Education Department.

State Minister Jogen Mohan was also present at the press briefing following the cabinet meeting.