Call to annul govt’s decision on Upper Karnali project

Kathmandu, January 26:

A protest rally was held here today against the government’s decision to award the 300 MW Upper Karnali project to India’s GMR Energy Ltd.

The Ministry of Water Resources signed a Memorandum of Understanding with GMR team on Thursday evening after five successive days of negotiations.

Addressing the protest meet, speakers called for revoking the agreement which was done against the interest of the people of Karnali and the people living in the vicinity of the project site.

The speakers also alleged that the agreement signed just ahead of the election

to the Constituent Assembly and state restructuring which would turn the state into a federal structure was against the spirit of federalism itself and against the rights of the local people over the local natural resources.

They denounced the agreement as anti-national and anti-people as it was reached without taking the consent of the local people affected by the project. They contended that the present government can not take a decision about a nationally important mega project like the Upper Karnali ahead of the election and without taking the consent of the local people since the government is pro-tem in nature and its mandate is only to hold the constituent assembly election.

The speakers also alleged that the agreement was signed under India’’s pressure and in its interest.

Historian Dr Surendra KC said the Upper Karnali project will meet the same fate as the Kosi, Gandaki and Tanakpur agreements signed with India.

President of Tharu Liberation Struggle Dr Lalan Chaudhary said that the Upper Karnali project agreement has been signed against the interests of the people of Karnali Region and Tharuhat. He alleged that the government signed the agreement in haste without consulting with the local people. Youth leader from Karnali Dhan Bahadur Budha said the government has imposed the central authority in a unilateral manner without taking the local people into confidence.

Central President of Karnali Autonomous Council Gorakh Bahadur BC warned that they would move the Supreme Court challenging the agreement.

student leaders Nripa Kumar Hamal and Ram Singh Rawal said extensive public pressure would be built against the agreement which has been signed in disregard of the local people.