Nepal and India need to work jointly to harness Nepal’s abundant water resources that can produce energy to drive their economies 

Nepal-India energy secretary level talks, also known as Joint Steering Committee (JSC), concluded on Tuesday, endorsing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the construction of the 400 kV Butwal-Gorakhpur cross-border transmission line. The Nepali side was led by energy secretary Anup Kumar Upadhyay and his Indian counterpart by Pradeep Kumar Pujari. The Nepal-India joint technical group had prepared the DPR for the construction of the Butwal-Gorakhpur cross border transmission line which will be used to exchange energy in both the countries as per the Power Trade Agreement (PTA) reached between the two countries in 2014 when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Nepal. During the meeting, the Nepali side proposed that both the countries take initiative to build the 400 kV cross-border transmission line that fall within their territory, and the JSC urged the technical committee to recommend the funding modality to the JSC. The joint meeting also reviewed the power trade between the two countries and also agreed to increase electricity import to Nepal during the dry season next year via the Muzzafarpur-Dhalkebar cross-border transmission line once it is charged at 220 kV. The Nepal Electricity Authority has reached an agreement with India-owned Vidyut Vyapar Nigum to import 160-MW electricity via Muzzafarpur-Dhalkebar cross-border lines.

The Nepali side also proposed importing energy up to 50 MW each from Kataiya-Kusaha and Raxaul-Parwanipur which are being done with the Indian grant assistance. The Indian side has taken the proposal positively. The JSC meeting also reviewed the progress being made so far on the India-invested hydel projects such as Arun III and Upper Karnali and the joint venture Pancheshwor Multipurpose Project and also stressed the need to construct transmission lines before the completion of these projects. Since the signing of the PTA in 2014 Nepal has been importing 360 MW of electricity from India via different cross-border transmission lines and the import has contributed to reducing load-shedding.

During the meeting, the Nepali officials also informed the Indian side that they would send their comments soon on the “Guidelines on Cross Border Trade of Electricity” issued by the Ministry of Power India in December. The Nepali side drew the attention of Pujari and the high level Indian delegation that both the countries should stick to the provision of the PTA signed between Nepal and India in 2014 to enhance energy exchange between the two countries. The PTA has envisioned a Joint Working Group which will monitor and facilitate the implementation of the power trade agreement. The Guidelines of Cross Border Trade of Electricity has stated that India will purchase electricity from Nepal to be produced by Nepal government or NEA and other projects financed by the Indian government or Indian investors. Energy experts and independent power producers in Nepal, particularly the private sector, have said that the guidelines are inconsistent with the PTA which has clearly stated that the energy produced in Nepal can be sold to India at a competitive price. Nepal and India are energy-starved countries. They need to work jointly to harness Nepal’s abundant water resources that can produce enough energy to drive the economies of both the countries uplifting millions of people from poverty. The differences over the guidelines must be settled for mutual benefits.

Drug shortages

Shortages of essential medicines is nothing new such as a news report from Parsa. The District Health Office has failed to procure the required medicines. Health posts in the rural areas in particular face this drug crunch. Even medicines like cetamol and jeevan jal and iron capsules are not available there. Pregnant women who visit the health posts are affected the most. The patients are compelled to visit Birgunj based health facilities.

This worrying situation has been attributed to calling tenders to buy the medicines. There has been a protracted delay in doing so and as a result of this medicines are unavailable or in short supply. The concerned should take the necessary steps so that the supply of essential medicines in particular are made easily available.  There is  a crunch of medicines in many other districts as well. The concerned should see to it that medicines like anti rabies vaccines are easily available from government hospitals.