IPPAN Chairman Ganesh Karki States Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha Has Opportunity to Make History in Energy Sector

Kathmandu. Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal (IPPAN) Chairman Ganesh Karki has stated that Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has the opportunity to make history in the energy sector. Karki said this while giving a welcome speech at the 26th General Assembly and 8th Convention of IPPAN.

'The time has come to make history in the energy sector. Until now, we have been talking about Shailaja Acharya, but now we may find the name of Biraj Bhakta Shrestha in that place.' He stated that in 2049 BS, the target set by the government led the country to end load shedding and enter energy trade. He said that if the private sector had not entered, the situation of facing 16 hours of load shedding would still exist.

Stating that the budget and policy and program have come in a way that solves the problems of the private sector, he expressed confidence that they will be implemented. 'What we have been raising for 2-3 years and what is included in the manifesto has also come in the policy and program and budget. Therefore, we are confident that work will be done now,' Karki said, 'It is said to do PPA on a take-or-pay basis. We hope that work will be done. It is said to do PPA in 180 days. It has not even been 100 days. We hope that work will also be done.'

He also stated that he is confident that the things mentioned in the budget will be implemented. 'Many things from the past also came in the budget. But they could not be implemented. But this time, a government close to two-thirds from Rastriya Swatantra Party has come. What we have been raising has also come in the policy and program and budget,' Karki said, 'We hope it will be implemented this time.'

He also requested the government to extend the deadline for RCOD. 'We have been requesting to extend the deadline for RCOD for a long time. But even after going to the board repeatedly, the deadline has not been extended. We hope that the minister will extend the deadline.'

He also urged to solve the problem of IPO process being stopped at SEBON for a long time.

'It has been 2-3 years since applying. But we still don't know when the IPO will be approved. We were asked to come from the concerned ministry. We also went from the Ministry of Finance. But our problem was not solved,' he said, 'We hope that the government will solve this problem.'