LALITPUR: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy Top Bahadur Rayamajhi has said the government was planning to change the load-shedding schedule and not to reduce power supply in the morning and the evening time.

Addressing a Deusi-Bhailo programme arranged by the Reporters' Club here on Thursday, he insisted on the construction of big hydropower projects at war-footing level by changing the existing policy.

The Energy Minister was in favour of promoting the use of thermal plants and electric power to cope with the problem created by the shortage of petroleum products in the country.

He added that that the government was seriously working to address the demands raised by the United Democratic Madhesi Front, insisting on unity among all the citizens to face the existing national crisis resulting from the acute fuel shortage.

Also speaking on the occasion, Minister for Industry Som Prasad Pandey said unofficial blockade imposed by India on Nepal has pushed the people's life into a crisis and the government was busy with diplomatic measures to end this situation.

He called for maximum utilisation of available power resources and becoming self-dependent in power production.