Environment Ministry withdraws controversial ground water bill

The Ministry of the Environment has withdrawn a bill setting the price of ground water from the agenda of a cabinet meeting planned for Wednesday, Czech Television reported. Environment Minister Richard Brabec of ANO said that if the bill is submitted at a later date it will not contain provisions that could be abused so as to increase water prices for citizens. The prime minister, Bohuslav Sobotka of the Social Democrats, welcomed the decision. Plans to increase the price of ground water by three by 2022 had divided the cabinet and been criticised by municipalities.