Parliamentary panel clears controversy surrounding 14 hydro projects

KATHMANDU, Dec 17 :

The Agriculture and Water Resources Committee (AWRC) of legislature-parliament has finally cleared controversy surrounding 14 hydropower projects, directing the Ministry of Energy (MoE) to decide fate of those projects on its own.

Following discussion with officials of MoE and the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Monday, the committee said energy ministry can decide fate of those projects by conducting needful studies and complying with existing laws. In its direction, AWRC has cited Clause 12 (B) of CIAA Act which states: "In case the decision taken by the person holding a public post may be appealed under the prevailing laws, the CIAA shall not write in such a way that it would have an influence on such a decision."

Talking to Republica, AWRC Chairman Gagan Thapa said any decision taken by the secretary on the fate of the projects will be the final one.

In Monday´s meeting, CIAA´s Acting Secretary Prem Kumar Rai had said the anti-graft body had only advised the energy ministry on the fate of the 14 projects. And Energy Secretary Rajendra Kishore Kshatri was convinced by Rai´s statement.

Earlier, parliamentary Finance Committee had directed energy ministry to decide fate of those projects on its own. But Energy Secretary Kshatri had been maintaining that CIAA´s direction was obligatory.

Source: Republica