CIAA returns files of Kabeli A, Upper Trishuli I

KATHMANDU, Nov 6:

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has returned files of Kabeli A, Upper Trishuli I and three other hydropower projects to the Department of Electricity Development (DoED).

The documents, which were taken by CIAA on different dates for investigation, were returned on Wednesday morning after CIAA’s Chief Commissioner Lokman Singh Karki clarified at the parliamentary Finance Committee meeting about its latest direction on those projects.

Though CIAA on Wednesday returned files of Upper Trishuli I, Karki argued that CIAA had not taken files of Upper Trishuli I for investigation. He also expressed dissatisfaction on the cabinet decision to extend the project’s term. “The cabinet extended the term even though the project failed to achieve financial closure and sign Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) by October 19,” added Karki.

Officials of the Ministry of Energy and DoED had told the Finance Committee meeting on Sunday that the works to sign PPA with Kabeli A was delayed after CIAA took the project files.

Upper Trishuli I project is being developed by a group of Korean investors.

Source: Republica