Kathmandu, 15 September
Minister for Environment, Science and Technology Dr Keshab Man Shakya has stressed the need of bringing policy reforms so as to attract investors in hydropower sector.
Speaking at an Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Federation of Nepal Electricity Entrepreneurs here on Saturday, Minister Shakya said policy hassles have cost much in bringing hydropower investors into confidence.
‘Investment-friendly environment has not been enabled due to waning political will power. It is necessary that all the political parties should pay attention to that end’, he added.
Vice-chairperson of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNNCI) Pashupati Murarka accused the government of showing double standard by fixing food price, though Nepal has adopted open market economy.
Chairperson of Hydro Development Forum Gyanednra Lal Pradhan said prevalence of 18-hour-long load-shedding in the country is caused by the government’s sheer negligence towards hydropower generation and that has also resulted in annual trade deficit of Rs 35 billion.
Likewise, Federation Chairperson Ram Bahadur Shrestha demanded the government exempt VAT and customs duty in CFL and battery.
It was informed at the programme that nearly 90 per cent of the total supply of electric goods have been imported from outside.
Source : RSS
