The Ministry of Energy on Sunday expressed serious concern about the threats issued by the Maoist-affiliated organizations to halt all works related to the DPR. [break]
Stating that local stakeholders have been engaged in active dialogues from time to time on various aspects of the project, a statement issued by the Ministry stated such meetings could be held any time, if needed, to address the concerns of the stakeholders.
On Saturday, the Maoist-affiliated Limbuwan Rastriya Mukti Morcha and Kirant Rastriya Mukti Morcha issued separate statements threatening to close the work immediately.
Members of both organizations including some Maoist central committee members had reached the project site in Dhankuta and handed over the warning letter to the chief engineer, Rakesh Kashyap, an Indian national. The Maoists have argued that the project is ill-intended and is against the interests of the country.
The ministry has also stated that the new DPR has been initiated as per international standards as financial, social, environmental and cultural aspects of the project have remained unexplored at present. The ´Saptakoshi-Sunkoshi Exploration´ was taken up six years ago jointly by Nepal and India.
The ministry also said the loss and gain aspects of the project will be known only after the completion of the DPR following which a decision would be taken whether to take the project forward. It has also informed that the DPR will be evaluated for facts and feasibility by hydro-power experts of both the countries.
Asked to comment, Energy Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, said, "It is illogical to stop the DPR itself as we will get a comprehensive report incorporating all aspects of the project." He added, "This is only the DPR and whatever report we get from this joint-initiative will be a bonus for Nepal."
Mahat informed that a geologists´ team from India is soon arriving here to carry out survey of the project for three weeks.
He also said he has communicated with a Maoist CA member from Bhojpur and expressed dissatisfaction over the Maoist threat to the project.
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