Talking to Republica Thursday, Pokharel said they have decided to protest against hydropower projects that they deem to be against the national interest.[break]
The Maoists, issuing a three-page statement Tuesday, had demanded review of terms and conditions of water resources projects that have not gone through parliamentary endorsement as per the interim constitution. “Contracts and agreements reached with foreign multinationals should be presented in a transparent manner before parliament for approval,” Pokharel demanded, adding that they would also protest foreign investment if it is found to be against the national interest.
Asked if Maoist policy is to protest hydropower projects to be developed with Indian investment, Pokharel said, "We´d protest all projects that are ´export-oriented´ no matter where the investment comes from."
Pokharel further said any agreement with foreign multinationals on hydropower that is ´export-oriented´ is unacceptable to his party. "Our demand is that Nepali investors be given the opportunity to invest in hydro projects," he said.
The Maoists had demanded that contracts and agreements on the West Seti, Upper Karnali, Arun-III, Chainpur Seti, Upper Karnali ST-1, Lower Arun, Upper Marsyangdi-II, Budhigandaki, Tamakoshi III A, Dudhkoshi, Dudhkoshi-4, Likhu, Phulkot and Namlan, among other hydropower projects, be presented for deliberations in the Legislature-Parliament´s Committee on Natural Resources. They had also asked the government to stop all ongoing activities at those projects until the agreements are presented before the parliamentary committee.
Asked why the Maoists decided to protest hydropower projects that Indians are to invest in at a time when rumors are rife that India is obstructing Pushpa Kamal Dahal from becoming prime minister, he said, "It is just coincidence."
However, CPN-UML leader Pradip Nepal, who heads the party´s natural resources department, termed the Maoist move illogical and unconvincing.
The Department of Electricity Development (DoED) selected the developers through a tender process and Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) signed the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the companies.
"Obstructing work at project sites even after agreement with DoED and finalization of PPA seriously discourages hydropower promoters, both domestic and international," Nepal told Republica.
He said if DoED and NEA have committed any irregularity while selecting the companies, political leaders can summon the officials concerned and grill them.
NICCI concerned
Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) has raised serious concern over the recent Maoist announcement to obstruct the operation of various hydropower projects.
NICCI has said that the decision will serious hurt foreign investors and drive them away. "Such statements will discourage foreign investment in the hydropower sector at a time when the country is in dire need of foreign capital and technology to fulfill the domestic resource gaps," reads an NICCI statement.
Meanwhile, the Federaton of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday regretted the Maoist move. The federation´s president, Kush Kumar Joshi urged the Maoists to withdraw the decision.
Nepal in 2009/10 had suffered trade deficit of Rs 317 billion, of which trade deficit with India alone had crossed Rs 177 billion.
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