Sunday, April 21, 2013

CPN-M slams parties’ hydropower pledge


CPN-Maoist

The CPN-Maoist , which has been opposing Indian investment in the hydro power sector in Nepal, has termed the recent political solidarity for hydropower development a cheap publicity.
In a press statement, the Department of Water Resources and Energy of the party said the move was meant to hide all existing anomalies, financial irregularities, treaties signed against the country’s interests and foreigners’ intervention in the country.
In the 47th annual general meeting of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on April 10, top leaders of seven political parties along with Chairman of the Interim Election Government Khil Raj Regmi had signed a commitment paper, jointly vowing not to hinder the development of any hydro power project. Among the parties that committed not to obstruct the power projects were UCPN (Maoist), CPN-UML, Nepali Congress, Rastriya Janashakti Party Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktrantrik, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Nepal and Tarai Madhes Loktantik. However, despite several attempts from the private sector, the Mohan Baidya-led CPN-Maoist refused to sign the paper.
CPN-Maoist leader Dharmendra Bastola said his party has reservations over the commitment paper. He also charged the signatories and the parties they represented of being involved in taking bribes and commissions from hydropower developers in the country. “We were surprised by the commitment of the parties that had so far been selling Nepal’s water resources to monopolists and capitalists,” said the press release.
The press release signed by Lok Bahadur Raut, the secretary of the party department, further states that the Koshi, Gandak and Mahakali-Pancheswor Treaty, along with the handing over of projects like Upper Karnali, Upper Marysandi, Arun-III and Saptakoshi Hydropower Projects, were against the interests of the country and “unequal” to the country in terms of possession and profits. “Our party is of the opinion that until such unequal agreements, treaties and contracts are corrected, the projects should not be constructed,” the release said. It added that the party had been playing a creative role in the management and operation of any of the projects that are constructed by putting the national interests on top.
Bastola said his party will not oppose foreign investment in Nepal’s hydropower projects, but will struggle against ‘Indian monopoly’ in hydro power.
Reacting to the statement, FNCCI President Suraj Vaidya said such ‘whimsical’ statement from one of the major parties of the country would ruin the entire investment climate of Nepal. “It is really unfortunate that the CPN-Maoist is obstructing foreign investment in hydropower by targeting the investment of acertain country,” he said, adding that such ‘blame game’ will never promote the country’s hydropower sector. “If the CPN-Maoist is unhappy with the private sector’s attempts to ensure commitment from the political parties, I request this party to come up with its roadmap on the development of hydropower,” said Vaidya.
Source : The Kathmandu Post

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