ISLAMABAD, Sept 9: The government has decided to shortly set up a National Drainage Authority (NDA) to work as a regulatory body to ensure sustainability of sound irrigation system in the country.

The Authority would also oversee the implementation of the proposed national drainage accord, officials said here on Monday.

The Ministry of Water and Power would now formally refer the plan to the National Economic Council (NEC) for its approval. The NEC is the country’s highest economic decision-making body.

The formulation plan of the proposed national drainage accord is presently under discussion with the four provinces, the officials added.

At the initial stage, the setting up of the NDA is expected to be discussed by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) to be presided over by Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz within this month.

The plan envisages that regulation and disposal of drainage effluent is a complex issue, requiring a permanent body to coordinate, regulate and oversee the implementation of the proposed national drainage accord. The NDA will be established at the federal level on the pattern of Indus River System Authority (Irsa) with its headquarter at Islamabad.

The secretaries of the provincial irrigation departments, member (water) of Wapda and director-general of environmental protection agency, have been proposed to act as ex-officio members of the NDA. The Authority will be assisted by a full-time chief engineer.

The broad functions of the Authority will be: to lay down the basis for the regulation of saline drainage effluent within the provinces and its ultimate sustainable disposal; coordinate and regulate inter-agency activities regarding gauging and recording of drainage effluent flows and exchange of pertinent data and monitor, compile and review drainage effluent produced and disposed at critical points on monthly/quarterly basis; review and specify disposal patterns; advise provinces on efficient management of their drainage effluents; review and determine environmental impact of effluent disposal through provinces and recommend remedial measures; and resolve conflicts that may arise between two or more provinces in respect of disposal of drainage effluents.