Kathmandu: 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 Secretary Dr Surendra Aryal tabled the HoR message regarding the Appropriation Bill for the fiscal year 2082 BS (2025-26).
According to National News Agency Nepal, a significant highlight of the session was the unanimous endorsement of 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.’ The resolution motion was proposed by lawmaker Jaga Prasad Sharma and seconded by Krishna Bahadur Rokaya, Gopi Bahadur Sarki Achhami, Bhagawati Neupane, Madan Kumari Shah (Garima), and Mohammed Khalid.
NA Chairperson Narayana Prasad Sharma announced the unanimous passage of the resolution motion and directed the government to proceed with its implementation. He also instructed the relevant committee to actively monitor the enforcement of the resolution. Lawmaker Sharma, who proposed the resolution motion, presented it under the title ‘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.’
The resolution motion received support from both ruling and opposition lawmakers when presented in Parliament for decision. The proposal included provisions for income tax and revenue exemptions for consumer committees and organizations establishing and operating a bleaching powder industry in the country.
MP Sharma emphasized the need for the state to support water supply services without treating them as profit-making organizations. He argued that such institutions should not be subjected to revenue and tax collection, VAT deductions, or interest charges. The proposal aims to ensure access to drinking water services for all and improve the management of these services through consumer committees or organizations.
The resolution proposal suggests tax exemptions, including revenue, income tax, and VAT, for consumer committees or organizations. It also proposes reducing the interest on loans provided by the Town Development Fund, promoting public participation as per the National Water Supply and Sanitation Policy, 2080 BS, and establishing a bleaching powder industry within the country. Additionally, it recommends waiving electricity demand charges.
The proposal, registered on May 20, was discussed in today’s meeting. NA Chair Dahal informed attendees that he had not received any notifications regarding amendments to the proposal. During discussions, Dr Anjan Shakya highlighted the necessity of policy clarity 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 for it.