Water Resources Bill Passed by House of Representatives

The House of Representatives has passed the much-anticipated Water Resources Bill with a majority vote during Monday’s session. Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, presented the revised version of the bill, which includes updated clauses based on earlier discussions.

The Infrastructure Development Committee had reviewed the bill clause-by-clause after its tabling in the parliament. 

The purpose of the bill is to set clear legal guidelines for managing water resources across all levels of government — federal, provincial and local. It covers how water-related projects will be developed, operated and how the responsibilities and revenues will be shared. The bill also provides a policy roadmap for using, conserving and managing both surface and underground water resources in an integrated and sustainable way.

While answering lawmakers' questions, Minister Khadka said the new bill was drafted after studying the challenges and shortcomings of the previous Water Resources Act of 1992 (2049 BS). He added that the new law also considers international best practices.

Khadka said this bill is the result of extensive consultations with the Infrastructure Committee, the Ministry of Law and other stakeholders.