Provincial Governments Propose ‘Three S’ Approach to Federal Government on Energy and Water Resources

Provincial governments have proposed a ‘Three S’ approach – coordination, coexistence, and cooperation – to the federal government on energy and water resources management.

The proposal was made during a subject committee meeting of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, which was attended by energy ministers and secretaries from all seven provinces.

The meeting discussed the ‘Water Resources Bill’ and the ‘Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Bill’, and the provincial governments expressed their concerns over the lack of clarity on their roles, powers, and responsibilities in the proposed bills.

Provincial Governments Seek Clear Roles and Responsibilities

The provincial governments have demanded that their roles, powers, and responsibilities be clearly defined in the bills, and that there should be effective coordination, coexistence, and cooperation among the federal, provincial, and local governments.

According to Maheshwor Shrestha, joint secretary at the Ministry of Energy, the provincial governments have emphasized the need for coordination, coexistence, and cooperation among the three levels of government to avoid overlapping of powers and to ensure effective management of energy and water resources.

Shrestha said that the ministry has committed to incorporating the suggestions of the provincial governments in the bills and to ensuring that the bills are enacted in a way that promotes coordination, coexistence, and cooperation among the three levels of government.

Scientific Classification of Rivers Proposed

The proposed Water Resources Bill aims to classify rivers into different categories based on their size and flow, and to assign responsibilities for their management to the federal, provincial, and local governments accordingly.

According to the proposal, small rivers and streams will be managed by the local governments, while medium-sized rivers will be managed by the provincial governments, and large rivers will be managed by the federal government.

Shrestha said that the scientific classification of rivers will help to avoid overlapping of powers and to ensure effective management of water resources.

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Bill

The proposed Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Bill aims to promote the use of renewable energy sources and to improve energy efficiency in the country.

The bill proposes to make energy labeling mandatory for electrical appliances, and to regulate the quality of appliances to ensure that they meet certain energy efficiency standards.

The provincial governments have suggested that the bill should also address the issue of overlapping powers and should ensure that there is effective coordination and cooperation among the three levels of government.

Minister Stresses Need for Coordination and Cooperation

Energy Minister Viraj Bhatt Shrestha stressed the need for coordination and cooperation among the federal, provincial, and local governments to achieve sustainable development in the energy and water resources sector.

He said that the constitution has envisioned a prosperous Nepal, and that this can only be achieved through coordination and cooperation among the three levels of government.

The minister emphasized the need for a joint work plan, clear responsibilities, and time-bound implementation to achieve the goals of sustainable development.