Uttarakhand Cabinet Passes Bill to Replace 153-Year-Old British Irrigation Act

In a recent cabinet meeting, the Uttarakhand government gave its nod to a legislative proposal that seeks to scrap the 153‑year‑old irrigation law dating back to the British period. The bill is intended to replace the antiquated framework with a modern water‑management code that reflects current agricultural and environmental needs. State officials said the new legislation will streamline water allocation, improve irrigation efficiency and address issues such as water scarcity and climate variability. The bill is now slated for introduction in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, where it will undergo debate and voting before becoming law. If passed, the reform will mark the first major overhaul of the state's irrigation policy since its colonial inception.