Union government constitutes the Cauvery Water Management Authority
Following the Supreme Court’s direction, the Union government has constituted a Cauvery Water Management Authority to settle water disputes between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The authority would comprise a chairman, eight members along with a secretary and would be responsible for apportioning, regulating and controlling the waters of the Cauvery. It will also supervise the operation of reservoirs and look at the regulated release of water by Karnataka.
Centre proposes Rs 10,000-crore project to connect Gujarat and Rajasthan through inland waterways
A Rs 10,000-crore project to develop a 590-km-long inland waterway connecting Gujarat and Rajasthan through rivers and streams has been conceived by the Centre. Recently, Union water resources ministry had given in-principle approval for connecting the Kori Creek area on the Arabian Sea in Kutch to Rajasthan. The second meeting with chief ministers of both states along with other state functionaries is expected to happen very soon regarding the project.
HC upholds DJB’s scheme giving preference to manual scavengers in mechanised sewer cleaning
The Delhi high court has upheld eligibility conditions and preferences prescribed by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) with regard to manual scavengers and people belonging to scheduled castes in a March 2018 tender relating to mechanised sewer cleaning and transporting sludge. The Bench observed that the Jal Board’s move promises a positive tomorrow and meaningful engagement with communities that have been marginalised for centuries based on their caste and occupation.
Centre sanctions extra-budgetary funds to the tune of Rs 1,400 crore for the Polavaram project
The Union government has drawn up a mechanism to inject Rs 1,400-crore into financing the Polavaram project for the current fiscal. A fresh Memorandum of Agreement to this effect has been signed by the Ministry of Water Resources, the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) and NABARD. Despite the said amount being sanctioned earlier this year, funds were not released due to procedural lapses.
Odisha government allocates Rs 440 crore for micro irrigation and watershed development
The Odisha government has set aside Rs 440 crore for developing water resources in the state, especially focusing on watershed and micro-irrigation schemes. Annual action plans have been approved under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichai Yojana and the ‘Per Drop More Crop’ programmes, apart from others. Over 20,000 beneficiaries are expected to benefit from ‘deep irrigation’ and ‘spinkler irrigation’ projects approved by the state government.
This is a roundup of important policy matters published between May 29 and June 4, 2018. Also, read the news this week.