Power trade and production deal with India opaque: UML

The attention of this meeting was drawn to the energy agreement signed between Nepal and India recently regarding the sale of 10,000 megawatts of electricity in 10 years. It is a positive matter that the electricity produced in Nepal has access to the Indian market," concluded the UML central committee meeting, "but some of the issues in the agreement are controversial and not conducive to the national interest. There has been a non-transparent agreement not only in energy trade but also in energy production.' It is a matter of concern.

'Projects are on hold for a long time, the matter of water distribution in Pancheshwar project is not resolved according to the recognition of the border river, the government is silent on the news that the GMR company has sold the Upper Karnali project to another company without taking Nepal's approval, the government is silent on the provisions that discourage and prohibit the investment of other countries in Nepal's energy sector. Consenting is a matter of serious concern,' UML has objected, 'This meeting demands to publicize all agreements, understandings and agreements reached between them regarding energy production and trade, to fully protect Nepal's national interest in natural resources and to ensure a competitive system in energy production and sales distribution.

UML has also demanded from the government to show diligence in the implementation of the agreements reached in the past with both neighbors. Former Foreign Minister and Deputy Secretary General Pradeep Gyawali objected that the government's homework on giving the international airport of Nepal to foreign companies, including the energy deal, was opaque. The international airport is being prepared to be given to a foreign company. Other national harm has been done," he said.