The government is enacting an ordinance for the formation of the proposed river basin and wetland authorities. Minister for Water Resources N.K. Premachandran told the presspersons here on Tuesday that the Cabinet had already recommended the draft Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Ordinance for promulgation by the Governor. It had strong provisions for comprehensive development and protection of water resources. The Minister said the government would be forming river basin boards and wetland development boards under the proposed authorities. The authorities would coordinate the activities of the boards, determine priorities, assess environmental impact of projects and their gains, protect water bodies, control their exploitation and prevent pollution and water-related disasters. The River Basin Authority, chaired by the Minister for Water Resources, would have experts and representatives of voluntary organisations as members. The Wetland Authority too would have a similar structure. Mr. Premachandran said the draft sought to provide legal status to participatory irrigation management introduced by the government. Users associations with statutory backing would be formed under the projects. There would be project management committees to oversee each project with people's representatives as members. He said the draft enhanced punishments for various offences under the law. Depositing of pollutants into water bodies would be a serious offence attracting up to two years' imprisonment or fine of Rs.1 lakh or both. The legislation also aimed at checking encroachments and unauthorised sand-mining. Plachimada Bill The Minister refuted criticism that the Plachimada Coca Cola Victims' Relief and Compensation Claims Special Tribunal Bill, passed by the Assembly last week, would not stand legal scrutiny. It was within the legislative competence of the State Assembly as it covered State subjects such as Public Health and Agriculture. The National Green Tribunal Act could not supersede it as the Act had retrospective effect of only five years. The Bill was to be enacted with President's assent. He said that arguments against the Bill was intended to help the Coca Cola Company and reflected the lack of enlightened political sense among those objecting the Bill. Admitting that the Jalasuraksha project envisaged for implementation of various proposals in the water policy was not an all-round success, the Minister said local self-governments should come forward to carry the project forward