KATHMANDU: The House of Representatives has passed the Water Resources Bill, 2024.
During the meeting held on Monday, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, presented the proposal to endorse the bill. The proposal was put to a vote by Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire and was passed by a majority.
Prior to the endorsement, the House held a discussion on the bill along with the report submitted by the Infrastructure Development Committee. Responding to the concerns raised during the discussion, Minister Khadka said the government had introduced the bill to formulate necessary legal provisions for the proper use and conservation of water resources.
He mentioned that the bill is significant for the sustainable development, utilization, conservation, and management of water resources, as well as for the fair distribution of benefits.
According to the bill, while constructing a dam or reservoir for project development, the benefits and risks to both upstream and downstream communities must be assessed, and the benefits must be calculated and shared accordingly. The bill also includes the establishment of a commission to oversee the integrated and sustainable development, utilization, conservation, and management of water resources.
The government had registered the Water Resources Bill in Parliament on June 13, 2024.
Comment