Kathmandu, February 8:

Minister for Water Resources Bishnu Paudel today said the government welcomed positive and constructive comments to address power-cut woes. He was defending Public Accounts Committee’s charge regarding the government’s complacency to address the current crisis of load-shedding.

“National commitment is needed to address the present crisis. We would accept any suggestion, other than the government’s the power woes, which encompasses 25 short-term, three mid-term and seven long-term solutions,” Paudel told the PAC.

He said there were no plans to include foreign investors in 309 MW-capacity Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, as it is linked with Nepal’s credibility to generate electricity with its own resources. “Though a study suggests that additional 147 MW electricity can be generated from the project by installing additional turbines, we are committed that there would be no foreign investment,” he added.

He also clarified that decisions on Chameliya Hydropower Project were made in line with the law and that the Ministry would support the investigation team to find out irregularities, if any, related with Bagmati Irrigation Project.

Secretary at the Ministry Shanker Koirala, director general of Department of Electricity Development Sriranjan Lacoul and managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority Uttar Kumar Shrestha also attended the PAC meeting.