Kathmandu, March 6, 2007

The women’s network of the eight political parties has decided to mark the 97th International Women’s Day by raising common demand of proportionate representation of women in every sector of government structure, including constituent assembly (CA).

The alliance that includes women leaders from the eight parties, has also decided to take out a procession and hold a mass meeting in Kathmandu on March 8.

Speaking at an interaction at the Reporters’ Club on ‘Gender equality and proportionate representation of women in CA’, Sashi Shrestha of the Janmorcha Nepal said that the parties failed to provide women with their right to proper representation in the interim parliament.

“The failure to secure women’s position in the interim parliament and interim constitution has indicated that the women’s position is not secure even in the CA as well as in the constitution to be made after the CA polls,” Shrestha said.

“Women’s day has taught us a lesson that no achievement can be made without unity.

Following the lesson, we have decided to go unitedly for our rights and celebrate the women’s day,” said Bidhya Bhandari.

Govt to work to realise three mega hydel projects

Minister of State for Water Resources Gyanendra Bahadur Karki said that the government has decided to take steps within a month towards realising three mega hydro-electricity projects.

“We are in a position to witness paper works begin for the three mega hydroelectricity projects Arun III, Upper Karnali and Budhi Gandaki in a month. This will open door to generation of around 1,000 MW of electricity,” he said.

The Arun III, Budhi Gandaki and Upper Karnali have proven potential to generate 402 MW, 600 MW and 300 MW power respectively. He said this was addressing a national seminar on Investment of Hydropower Projects - Issues and Challenges, organised by the Nepal National Committee of International Association on Electricity Generation, Transmission and Distribution with association with Nepal Electricity Authority.

Thanks to the changed political scenario, he said adding that well-known international companies have shown interest to invest on the mega projects, which will bring a drastic change in Nepal’s economy.

“The ministry has taken steps to amend the regulations concerned to pave way for easy and secured investment in hydroelectricity for both the domestic as well as international investors,” he said.

“It is a matter of shame that we have been able to produce only 612 MW of electricity out of the vast potential of 43,000 MW,” he said.