Current Context : Himachal Pradesh government is working on consolidating various water-related laws under a single “Umbrella Act”.

Aim : to streamline the state’s water governance, addressing issues such as regulation of water usage, conservation, and disputes over water resources.

• Additionally, the state had introduced a water cess on hydropower projects to generate additional revenue, targeting up to Rs 1,000 crore annually.
  • The Himachal Pradesh High Court recently struck down the water cess, deeming it ​

ABOUT UMBRELLA ACT:

• Objective: to combine all existing water-related laws under a single framework. This is intended to:
  • Improve regulation and management of water resources.
  • Address the increasing demand and challenges related to water usage.
  • Enhance clarity and reduce conflicts related to water governance.