NGT raps authorities for Yamuna cleanup in Delhi 

The National Green Tribunal has rapped both the Delhi government and the Delhi Jal Board for delaying compliance with orders on the Yamuna cleaning project. It has also sought show cause from authorities for why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them. The tribunal has also remarked that both the stakeholders and the government are not giving any valid reasons for their “inaction and non-cooperation” for completing the project.

Tamil Nadu forms committee to preserve wetlands

The Tamil Nadu government has notified the constitution of District Level Wetland Management Committee that would be responsible for managing and conserving the wetlands in each district of the state. The committee would also recommend activities related to the development and management of wetlands within its jurisdiction to the Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority for approval. The committee would prepare a brief document on prioritised wetlands as well as delineating the zone of influence.

Loan waiver scheme: Maharashtra government releases Rs 4,000 crore in phase I

Under the first phase of the farm loan waiver scheme worth Rs 34,000 crore, the Maharashtra government has released Rs 4,000 crore. The first phase will cover more than eight lakh farmers. Out of the sum released, Rs 3,200 crore will be used for writing off the loans of 4.62 lakh farmers while the remaining Rs 800 crore will be in the form of incentives to 3.78 lakh farmers for paying their loans on time. 

Odisha government earmarks Rs 1,250 crore for an irrigation project

The Odisha government has announced Rs 1,250 crore for the Gangadhar Meher Lift Canal System in Bargarh district. The project, that will pump water from Bargarh Main Canal through an 18 km-long underground rising main pipeline, will irrigate a gross command area of about 32,000 hectares including 25,600 hectares in the kharif and 7,000 hectares in the rabi season. As per Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the project will utilise the latest technologies in irrigation and will be developed as a model project for the entire country.

Punjab: Right of way allowed for laying irrigation pipelines

The state cabinet has given its consent for granting the right of way to government departments concerned or farmers to enable them to lay underground irrigation pipelines through other landholders' areas. With this amendment, the laying of underground irrigation pipelines will be allowed at a depth of three feet beneath the surface of the land as per demarcated line. For the implementation of this amendment, the state will also be constituting a district-level committee.

This is a roundup of important policy matters from October 18 - 23, 2017. Also, read the news this week.