Assam Government Approves Ban On Small Water Bottles

HT Bureau

GUWAHATI, July 21: During the weekly Assam Cabinet meeting held on Friday, the state government made significant decisions to address pressing environmental concerns and promote sustainable development.

One of the key decisions is the establishment of the ‘Assam Information Technology, Electronics & Communication and Citizen Service Delivery (AITEC & CSD) Society’ under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 as a Project Implementation Unit (PIU). This move aims to facilitate the smooth implementation of IT-related policies and ensure seamless delivery of citizen-centric services.

The Assam government also approved a ban on the production and use of drinking water bottles made of PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) of less than 1 litre in volume. Additionally, there will be strict implementation of the ban on single-use plastic in the state, in accordance with the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021. This ban will come into effect from October 2, 2023, with a three-month transition period provided until that date.

In the pursuit of envisioning a flood-free Assam, the Cabinet discussed and granted administrative approval for Phase I of the ‘Climate Resilient Brahmaputra Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Project.’ This project, costing Rs 2,097.88 crore, will focus on integrated flood and riverbank erosion risk management activities along the main stem of the Brahmaputra river in vulnerable reaches of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Morigaon, Kamrup, and Goalpara districts.

To provide relief to electricity consumers, the Cabinet approved a targeted subsidy of Rs 265.29 crore to the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL). This includes subsidies of Rs 1 per unit up to a maximum of 45 units for Jeevan Dhara category consumers and Rs 0.75 per unit up to a maximum of 120 units for Domestic-A category consumers.

Another decision taken by the Cabinet is to engage inquiry officers in various departments to assist with departmental inquiries. Retired officers not below the rank of joint secretary or equivalent, with an upper age limit of 70 years, will be engaged to conduct departmental inquiries and submit reports to the disciplinary authority within a specified time frame.

In line with promoting renewable energy, the Cabinet decided to exempt electricity duty on electricity generated from renewable sources by consumers for captive consumption for a period of 3 years, effective from April 1, 2023, through the issuance of a notification under the Assam Electricity Duty Act, 1964. This step is aimed at encouraging the adoption of renewable energy sources across the state.