KATHMANDU: Minister for Water Supply Pradeep Yadav has criticized Dharan Sub-metropolitan Mayor Harka Sampang, accusing him of engaging in “drama” instead of addressing the city’s drinking water problem effectively.
Speaking at a press conference at the ministry on Friday to announce the Drinking Water and Sanitation Regulations, 2024, approved by the Council of Ministers, Minister Yadav remarked that Dharan’s water issues require action rather than theatrics.
He alleged that Mayor Sampang’s claim of personally supplying water to Dharan residents had caused disruptions and damaged the local drinking water corporation.
“The federal government recognizes its responsibility to provide drinking water to the people of Dharan, and concrete measures will be taken to ensure a reliable supply,” said Yadav.
Minister Yadav also highlighted the recent publication of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Regulations, 2024, in the gazette, which he said would streamline the implementation of water and sanitation projects.
He mentioned that the new regulations clarify the roles and responsibilities of service providers, requiring those with over 2,000 taps to deposit 1% of the total tariff into the Government of Nepal’s revenue account.
Additionally, the regulations mandate that wastewater from industrial and commercial sectors must be treated according to government standards before being connected to the sewage system.
The minister also emphasized that the new guidelines will make it easier to obtain permits for surveying, constructing, and operating water-related projects, except for small domestic use initiatives. He further explained that the formation of a Drinking Water and Sanitation Service Tariff Determination Commission will help define and regulate the sector’s responsibilities.
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