The Punjab cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has approved a citizen-focused desilting policy aimed at enhancing flood preparedness as the monsoon approaches. Under this policy, landowners will be permitted to undertake desilting of rivers, seasonal streams (choes), and drains at their own expense, while being allowed to utilize the excavated material for free. This initiative is designed to improve water flow in major rivers, including the Sutlej, Beas, and Siswan, and is expected to increase their carrying capacity, thereby reducing the risk of flooding and protecting both public and private property. The government has identified nine critical sites where desilting is urgently needed to prevent silt accumulation and maintain flow capacity. Additionally, the cabinet has approved amendments to the Punjab Reservation Rules, 1994, to rationalize representation in local bodies, ensuring fair representation across various categories.