CHANDIGARH, April 18 -- The Punjab cabinet on Friday cleared a citizen-focused policy allowing landowners to undertake desilting of rivers, 'choes' (seasonal streams) and drains at their own cost, with the right to use the excavated material free of charge. An official statement issued here following the cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Bhagwant Mann here said the move is aimed at strengthening flood preparedness ahead of the monsoon, while also improving flow across critical river stretches. "The policy is intended to ensure faster desilting of critical stretches while improving water flow in major rivers, including the Sutlej, Beas and Siswan at their own cost, and utilise the excavated material free of cost for their own use," the statement issued by the chief minister's office read. The initiative is expected to enhance the carrying capacity of rivers and drains, thereby reducing the risk of flooding and safeguarding both public and private property, it added. Authorities said the move is also expected to cut down project delays and optimise resource use, as it reduces dependence on government-led execution in non-responsive areas. The government has identified nine critical sites where desilting is essential before the upcoming monsoon season. Delays at these locations could lead to silt accumulation, reduced flow capacity and heightened flood risk. The new policy seeks to address such gaps and cut down project delays particularly in areas where desilting work has remained pending due to administrative or logistical constraints, the statement said. The statement said that oversight mechanisms would be required to ensure that the work is carried out in an environmentally compliant manner. In a separate decision, the cabinet approved amendments to Rule 6 of the Punjab Reservation Rules, 1994, governing the offices of sarpanches and chairpersons in local bodies. The amendment aims to rationalise category-wise representation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Castes women, women and the general category. It stipulates that in case 10% or more of the total number of zila parishads in the state are affected, the roster for rotation will be prepared afresh....