At the meeting, Madhesi ministers, including Minister for Physical Planning and Works Hridayesh Tripathi, asked the prime minister and Minister for Water Resources why the project was awarded to the Chinese company without calling for competitive bidding, according to sources. [break]
The sources, who participated at the meeting, also questioned the ministry for “special” treatment to the Chinese company.
“There should a competition among international companies before awarding such a big hydro power project,” a source quoted Tripathi as saying at the meeting.
Prime Minister´s Press Advisor, Ramrijhan Yadav said the ministers stressed on the need for equal treatment to all the companies interested to invest in hydro power sector in Nepal, saying that the policy should not encourage companies from a particular country and discourage companies from another country.
In response, Minister for Energy Posta Bahadur Bogati stated the government awarded the project to CTGC owing to technical problems.
"They can provide loan for the project only if we reach an agreement with them," the source quoted Bogati as replying to the Madhesi minister, adding, "That´s why we signed the MoU with the Chinese company."
Defending the deal, Bogati stated that the agreement can be rectified.
The prime minister had called the meeting to discuss the water resources ministry´s decision to award the hydro power project to the Chinese company.
At the meeting, the prime minister said that mega projects like the Westi Seti should be implemented through consensus. As the discussion could not conclude on Sunday, the cabinet committee is going to further discuss the deal this week.
"Today´s (Sunday) meeting is just a beginning. From now on the political committee will hold discussions on such mega projects," said another minister on the condition of anonymity.
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