Stoke bio-gas sources

Narayangarh: The budget for FY 2006-07 should increase the amount of grant being provided by the government for helping develop alternative energy sources in Nepal. Only then alternative energy sources will become accessible to all the ultra poor people of the country and that too in remote, rural areas. The concept of bio-gas plants has become very popular in the rural region. Therefore the grant should be appropriate and accessible to poor rural people. The present amount of grant being provided is very low. The Netherlands, Germany and Nepal government contribute 8 per cent, 69 per cent and 23 per cent respectively to make up the grants for alternative energy sources. The alternative energy source should be prioritised in the country like ours as it lessens the use of wood as fuel in rural areas, is environment friendly and helps in the conservation of bio-diversity.

Keshav Devkota, director of National Bio Gas Construction and Service Pvt Ltd

Boost solar energy

Biratnagar: The forthcoming budget for FY 2006-07 should prioritise the development of solar energy as an alternative source of energy. An economic package should be announced to promote the use of solar energy, particularly in areas that have very little recourse to the use of other conventional sources of energy. Also, the amount of grant should be increased so that the demand for alternative energy can be encouraged and entrepreneurs associated with alternative energy are facilitated. Concessions in the import of equipment of solar energy should be continued. The government must also invest in producing skilled manpower for making use of alternative energy sources. A special programme to ensure the reach of alternative sources of energy to rural residents needs to be brought in. Also, a demarcation of geographical areas keeping in view the use of alternative energy should be undertaken.

Jagat Chemjong, Bionic Energy

Energy that lasts

Nepalgunj: Meeting the demands for reliable, safe, cheap and adequate sources of fuel for the increasing population of mid and far western region has remained a challenge. Despite rich water resources, electrification of remote rural areas has not yet been possible. Therefore, renewable alternative energy sources should be developed. For this Alternative Energy Promotion Centre should contribute largely. Solar power has contributed almost 50 per cent of all electrification, while one-third is generated by micro-hydropower projects. The forthcoming budget should consider:

• Grants provided under solar power support programme and rural energy fund should be provided to all districts and it should be increased.

• Bring programmes to encourage people to use renewable energy sources so that negative impacts caused by burning kerosene and other fuel is lessened.

• Target groups should be identified.

• Make provisions for training and awareness programmes on renewable energy development, environmental awareness and sustainable life process.

Build a network of all organisations working on alternative energy sources for the development of renewable energy.

Dr Kabi Pokharel, advisor, Bio Energy

Allow us to expand

Narayangarh: The government should provide discount on the value added tax levied on the cooking Liquid Petroleum (LP) gas. If it became so, the current price of LP gas will diminish by Rs 70 to Rs 80 per cylinder. The government has said the import of LP gas has been made easier. But, we are failing to import gas directly from the Indian Oil Corp. The government has the responsibility, regarding the import of LP gas. We are failing to expand our storage capacity also. We urged to establish a filling centre near Kathmandu allowing us to expand our services in 2061 BS, but to no avail. Owing to the wrong policy, we are failing to render the supply line easy. Gas companies are facing many difficulties. The forthcoming budget should manage the issue of expansion of our storage capacity. We should get some relief on custom charges also.

Hedam Raj Pathak, proprietor, Baba

Gas Udhyog