NA passes resolution motion on citizen's access to drinking water

Kathmandu, June 26: The Committee for Legislation Management of the National Assembly (NA) has presented its report on the "Bill to Amend Some of Nepal’s Acts, 2080 BS," along with messages received from the House of Representatives (HoR).     

Committee President Tulasa Kumari Dahal introduced the report during today’s session of the upper house. In the same meeting, National Assembly (NA) Secretary Dr Surendra Aryal tabled the HoR message regarding the Appropriation Bill for the fiscal year 2082 BS (2025-26).     

As one of the major highlights of the session, a 'resolution motion on increasing citizens’ access to clean drinking water, granting facilities to sanitation institutions and committees, and establishing bleaching powder industries within Nepal' was unanimously endorsed.     

The resolution motion, proposed by lawmaker Jaga Prasad Sharma, was seconded by Krishna Bahadur Rokaya, Gopi Bahadur Sarki Achhami, Bhagawati Neupane, Madan Kumari Shah (Garima), and Mohammed Khalid.     

Announcing the unanimous passage of the resolution motion, NA Chairperson Narayana Prasad Sharma directed the government to advance to its implementation phase. He also instructed the concerned committee to actively monitor the enforcement of the resolution.     

Prior to that, lawmaker Sharma who proposed the resolution motion, presented the proposal entitled 'Facilitating the Drinking Water and Sanitation Organizations/Committees to Enhance Access to Drinking Water Services for Every Citizen and to Open a Bleaching Powder Industry in Nepal.'     

All lawmakers from the ruling side and the opposition side expressed their support for the proposal when it was presented in the Parliament for decision. The proposal was seconded by lawmakers Krishna Bahadur Rokaya, Gopi Bahadur Sarki Achhami, Bhagawati Neupane, Madan Kumari Shah, and Mohammad Khalid while registering it.     

MP Sharma who brought up the proposal presented it in order to provide income tax and revenue exemption to the consumer committee and the organisations for establishing and operating a bleaching powder industry in the country.     

"Water supply is purely a service oriented institution. It is the responsibility of the state to support, motivate, and encourage it. But it should not be treated as a profit-making organisation; such institutions should not be subjected to revenue and tax collection, VAT deductions, or interest charges," he argued.     

He mentioned that this proposal has been brought to ensure access to drinking water services for all and to make the management of drinking water services effective through consumer committees or organisations.     

The resolution proposal has proposed for tax exemptions including revenue, income tax, VAT, etc for the consumer committee or organisation.     

It is proposed to reduce the interest on loans provided by the Town Development Fund, to undertake public participation according to the National Water Supply and Sanitation Policy, 2080 BS, and to establish and operate a bleaching powder industry within the country. Likewise, it has been mentioned in the proposal to waive the electricity demand charges as well.     

The proposal registered on May 20 was discussed in today's meeting. NA Chair Dahal on the occasion informed that he has not received any notification regarding the amendment to the proposal.     

In the discussions on the proposal, Dr Anjan Shakya stated that policy clarity is necessary for improving accessibility.     

Lawmakers Bhuwan Bahadur Sunar, Bishnu Kumari Sapkota, Tulasa Kumari Dahal, Ghanashyam Rijal, Maya Prasad Sharma, Sumitra BC, Rajendra Lakshmi Gaire, and Krishna Prasad Adhikari expressed their views on the proposal and showed support to it.(RSS)