PAC to write to PM as Energy Ministry defies directive

KATHMANDU: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today drew the attention of Prime Minister Sushil Koirala citing that the Committee's directive given to the Ministry of Energy and Nepal Electricity Authority to begin the constructions work of the Chameliya Hydroelectricity Project after investigating the irregularities reportedly seen in it was not followed.

Similarly, the Committee has decided to forward the issue to the Prime Minister and the Parliament as Rs 1.9 billion was released under the heading of variation of the canal as it was said that a narrow canal was constructed instead of originally planned. The Committee said that the release of the amount was against the directive of the Committee.

Earlier, the Ministry of Energy had replied that it was unable to follow the Committee's directive. The reply reads that the construction works could not be forwarded if the PAC directive was to be followed.

This decision of the Ministry has disregarded the Parliament and therefore the Committee decided to forward the issue to the PM and the Parliament, Committee Chair Janardan Sharma said.

In the meeting, lawmaker Ramhari Khatiwada pointed out the need of taking effective decision on the issues as the Ministry was not following the directive of the Committee.

He further stressed on bringing the Energy Minister and Secretary under the ambit of action. Stating that the cost of Chameliya has increased fourfold, lawmaker Jaydev Joshi said that all those involved in the project so far from the beginning shjould be brought under the ambit of action.

Stating that disrespecting the people's representatives and denying implementation of the directive was disrespect to the state, lawmaker Dhanraj Gurung demanded to interrogate the Energy Minister and Energy Secretary.

Likewise, lawmakers Tek Bahadur Basnet, Pashupati Chaulagain, Mina Pun, Bharat Kumar Shah, Hari Prasad Nepal and Dimple Kumari Jha, among others expressed the view to carry out "real and true" investigations over the irregularities in the project.

The PAC on June 28 had directed the government to give payment only after investigation and to form a probe committee.

Committee Chair Janardan Sharma said that the Committee directed the construction company to resume works immediately. Although Rs 829.3 million had to be paid as per the variation order of the project, the NEA had paid Rs 1.9 billion.

A sub-committee formed under the coordination of PAC Committee member, Rajendra KC, had directed not to give the payment.

The under-construction project, in Darchula and Baitadi districts, started in January 2006. Rs 15.6 billion has already been invested in the project so far.