Power-saving proposals • Separate lanes for bicycles • Electric vehicles for govt offices • Reduce import duty on electric vehicles to 10 per cent • Install biogas plants to reduce dependence on LPG Kathmandu, November 17 The Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment has devised a proposal for the government to overcome the energy crisis facing the country. The 12-point proposal states that traffic police should arrange for lanes for bicycles by giving priority to cyclists and the government should purchase electric vehicles under the budget heading of vehicle procurement in the current fiscal year. Government offices should buy bicycles instead of motorcycles, adds the proposal. The MoSTE has also proposed to reduce customs duty to 10 per cent while importing EVs to minimise the import and use of petroleum products. “Customs duty for EVs meant for government offices should be fixed at one per cent and EV Charging Station should be set up by exempting import duty on equipment to be used for such a station,” it said. According to the proposal, the government should designate a responsible agency (Alternative Energy Promotion Centre or National Trading or any private agency) to promote renewable energy in urban areas and maintain its quality and competitiveness. An international firm may be awarded the contract through a global tender for the installation of solar energy systems. It stresses on the need to encourage banks and financial institutions to invest in renewable energy. To address the shortage of liquefied petroleum gas, which has become basic need of households, installation of biogas plant and production of briquette needs to be included in priority list. “There is a potential of generating biogas from poultry waste in Chitwan and AEPC should take initiative to carry out its feasibility study for necessary action,” adds the proposal. The ministry has proposed to develop biogas technology in barracks of the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and prisons using human waste for cooking, while equipping them with solar energy for lighting. “We propose that the government gradually replace electricity with solar energy for streetlights in urban areas and make necessary arrangement for installation of solar technology in all airports,” the MoSTE suggested, proposing operation of hybrid electric buses for mass transport.