Kathmandu. Former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that the progress made by the private sector in hydropower production is commendable.
Deuba was speaking at a programme organized on the occasion of the 23rd Annual General Meeting of independent energy producers’ association (IPPAN) Nepal here today. “The country does not have to face load-shedding problems due to the contribution of the private sector in energy production,” he said, adding, “The Nepali Congress has been in favour of private sector investment in hydropower production from the very beginning.” ’
Deuba said the NC government had opened up private sector investment in hydropower generation when the then Nepali Congress leader Shailaja Acharya was the deputy prime minister and water resources minister. “Due to the same policy, an environment has been created to invest billions of rupees by occupying about 80 per cent share in private hydropower generation,” he said, adding, “You have raised many problems including delay in issuing shares, lack of power purchase agreement (PPA), not being able to construct projects within the national park, wasting electricity due to lack of transmission line on time, procedural hassles in government agencies of the Forest Ministry and taking a long time.” ’
Deuba said, “The government should facilitate such things and not trouble you who are thinking of investing in the country.” We firmly believe that the country’s development is not possible without the investment of the private sector and the country cannot achieve economic prosperity. ’
Deuba said there was no doubt that the country’s policy of liberalism and privatization was behind nepal’s achievements in economic and social development so far. “I believe that the private sector should be encouraged further by eliminating the shortcomings in its implementation,” he said.
“It is a matter of happiness that electricity production is increasing. There is no load shedding in the country today. Electricity trade with neighbouring countries has also started,” deuba said, adding, “More and more electricity should be consumed by operating many industries in the country.” ’
Deuba recalled that the 39 MW power trade was started for the first time when he was the Prime Minister. “When I was the Prime Minister, I had signed an agreement with Indian Prime Minister Modi for joint cooperation,” he said, adding, “On that basis, short-term, medium-term and long-term electricity trade with India has started.” ’
Deuba said that it is the responsibility of the government to consume the electricity produced at present and do business. “The private sector should be involved in this. It is to create an environment for anyone who comes for investment to invest by adopting easy and easy methods,” he said. Not only domestic but also foreign investors should create an environment to invest confidently in Nepal. ’
