Kathmandu: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Dipak Khadka, has emphasized the urgent need to advance megaprojects in the hydropower and irrigation sectors to ensure significant progress. He made these remarks during an annual progress review and meeting of the ministry-level development problems resolution committee held at the ministry on Friday.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister Khadka highlighted the importance of executing tasks with responsibility and learning from past experiences to achieve success. He underscored the ministry’s crucial role in the national economy, stressing that energy production must be propelled forward through effective coordination among government agencies. Minister Khadka noted the potential for rapid development if the idle funds in banks were channeled into the energy sector.
Minister Khadka further questioned the inability to utilize idle bank funds domestically while foreign investors show keen interest in the energy sector. He stated that the government is focused on reservoir-based projects to ensure sufficient power production even during the winter months.
During the meeting, Prof Dr. RP Bichchha, a member of the National Planning Commission (NPC), proposed the introduction of a separate annual policy and program aligned with the 16th periodic plan to foster the development of the energy and irrigation sectors.
Secretary Sarita Dawadi acknowledged the cooperation received from the Finance Ministry and the NPC but pointed out ongoing challenges related to land acquisition and the use of forest land. Meanwhile, Secretary at the Water and Energy Commission, Dina Natha Mishra, expressed concerns about unmet budget spending targets, attributing this to the allocation of budgets without adequate preparation.