Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — During the next plenary session of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, the draft law "On Approval of the Water Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan" was reviewed article by article in its second reading.

It was noted that in recent years, large-scale reforms have been undertaken in the country to develop the water management sector, which is a crucial part of agriculture. Among the priority areas are the application of scientific approaches to water resource management, the improvement of irrigation conditions, and the active implementation of water-saving technologies.

Currently, social relations related to the management, use, and protection of water resources are regulated by several legal acts, including the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the laws "On Water and Water Use," "On Environmental Protection," and more than 20 subordinate regulations. Despite these documents laying the foundations for legal regulation in this area, they failed to create a unified, coordinated water law system that ensures consistent regulation of relationships in the water sector.

In light of existing gaps, a draft Water Code was developed to consolidate key norms in a single document, aimed at organizing the legal regulation of water relations. It includes provisions designed to create conditions for the rational use and efficient management of water resources, their protection, and to increase the responsibility of water suppliers and consumers.

Procedures for obtaining water use permits have been simplified.

During the preparation of the document for the second reading, lawmakers paid special attention to clarifying the powers, duties, and functions of government bodies responsible for regulating water relations. The draft also proposes expanding public-private partnership mechanisms in the water sector, introducing new approaches to water distribution among consumers, and improving conditions for issuing water use permits.

The draft code includes provisions on the development and implementation of comprehensive measures for managing, using, and protecting water resources, as well as promoting the wide adoption of water-saving technologies. Special attention was given to issues of responsibility for violating water withdrawal rules.

Following the discussion, the draft Water Code was returned to the responsible committee for further revision and clarification of certain provisions.