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Govt told to cancel Karnali license
KATHMANDU, JUL 13 -
The Maoist-affiliated Karnali Autonomous Council (KAC) has strongly urged the government to cancel the license of the Upper Karnali Hydroelectric Project (300 mega watt). The project was handed over to GMR Energy Ltd. of India on December 29, 2007.
According to the KAC, the project ownership should be given to domestic companies. “This will make ensure that the natural resources of the country are utilized by our own people,” said Gorakh Bahadur B.C., KAC Chairman.
Speaking at a programme here on Tuesday, hydropower experts and Greater Nepal Movement (GNM) activists claimed such agreements amounted to betrayal of Nepalis, especially those in the remote regions of the country. “While our own people continue to remain deprived of electricity, India will take every possible advantage from such projects,” said GNM Chairman Phanindra Nepal. “The government should have learnt from past experiences of Koshi and Gandaki projects. Our water will be misused by India for irrigation and other purposes free of cost. Indian dominance of Nepal will aggravate if these issues are not taken seriously.”
Hydro power expert Dr. Govinda Nepal said that if like Karnali, hydro-power plants are established in the upper reaches of the nation it would be easy to route the electricity towards Terai belts. “Easy electricity flow will reduce the cost as well as largely solve irrigation problems in the Terai,” said Dr. Nepal. “Therefore, natural resources should be utilized within the country rather than letting India benefit from them.”
Posted on: 2010-07-14 08:18
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