After 24 hours of discussion, on the afternoon of this Thursday, December 4, the Plenary Session of the Chamber of Deputies approved in general and in particular the issuance of a General Water Law, as well as reforms to the National Water Law.
The minutes have already been sent to the Senate of the Republic, where the majority of the ruling party is expected to discuss it on fast track.
The discussion of the ruling in particular began at 8:20 p.m. yesterday, and ended today at 2:10 p.m., and more than 500 reservations were presented; In the end, the minutes were endorsed by 324 votes in favor from Morena, PT and PVEM, as well as 118 votes against and two abstentions from the PRI, PAN and MC.
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Of the total reserves, a package of 18 was approved, proposed by the Morena, PT and PVEM benches, which they assured “addresses the concerns of the agricultural sector”, but which generated confrontation with the opposition benches, who stated that none of them “solve what they say they solve.”
The modification to article 22 stands out, which establishes that the rights protected in the concessions and assignments “shall not be subject to transfer.”
A paragraph was added to said article specifying that preferential rights derived from the transfer of ownership, merger and division of civil or commercial companies and inheritance rights will be reassigned in accordance with article 37 Bis, which establishes: “The Water Authority will resolve through expeditious procedures, within a period not exceeding 20 business days, the reallocation of volumes.”
A reservation to article 24 was also approved to establish that concessions or assignments will be subject to extension for up to the same term and characteristics of the current title, “as long as their holders request it between three years prior to the end of their validity and six months before their expiration.”
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Article 49 was modified, which originally stated that when ownership of land linked to a concession title is transferred “a change of use will not apply when it comes to agricultural and livestock use.” The reservation adds that it will not apply when it comes to aquaculture activities.
Article 123 Bis 3 was modified to establish the Minimum and maximum penalty for those who transfer national waters for profit. It indicates that when the volume is less than or equivalent to 50 thousand liters, the penalty will be three to 5 months in prison, and when the volume is greater than 50 thousand liters, the penalty will be six to eight months in prison.
Likewise, a reservation was endorsed to article 123 Bis 5, which imposed penalties of one to eight years in prison for any official who grants concessions, assignments, extensions, permits, in exchange for a benefit for himself, his spouse or blood relatives up to the second degree; With the reservation, the sentences will be from two to 14 years.
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In the fifth transitional period, where it is established that Conagua will present a regularization program, it was established that in the issuance of said guidelines “it must be observed that no water hoarding practices are incurred.”
Finally, a seventh transitional article was added to establish that, during the implementation of the new law and the issuance of the new rules on water, “responsible water management” must be carried out.
During the debate, the coordinator of the PRI in the Chamber of Deputies, Rubén Moreira, denounced that “none of the reserves that were approved solve what they say they solve.”
Furthermore, he denounced that the native peoples were never consulted: “Show the consultation to the native peoples, show it, do something, traitors to the country,” he demanded.
In response, the coordinator of Morena, Ricardo Monreal, acknowledged: “I never said that the communities had been consulted for this Law,” but assured that the Water Law and the reserves serve the agricultural sector.
“We can debate article by article to argue that what they say is a lie. I understand that they have to speak for the farmers, those who were deceived, because we have never put the concession of Mexico’s producers at risk.”he declared, while the cherry deputies shouted “traitors!”
“traitors!” towards the PRI bench.
Representative Claudia Rivera Vivanco (Morena) highlighted that the reform reinforces the State’s control over water resources.national planning and tools to prevent hoarding, abuse and corruption in its management.
“This reform seals the door that some seek to reopen and ensures that water management is responsible, fair and for the benefit of all Mexican families. Water has no party, but it does have a destination: the well-being of the people of Mexico,” he said.
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