KATHMANDU, Dec 27: The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to continue with the construction of basic physical infrastructures including the installation of towers in various districts of the country.

A division bench of Chief Justice Gopal Prasad Parajuli and Justice Deepak Raj Joshee vacated a stay order issued earlier by the apex court itself directing the NEA to stop the installation of towers given to various individuals and companies.

The apex court had stayed the NEA move on November 3, issuing directives that had set certain terms and conditions for the construction of physical infrastructures under the state-owned utility. However, challenging the stay order, Nishesh Mishra, a resident of Kupondol, Lalitpur had filed a review petition claiming that the terms and conditions violated the provisions of the Constitution of Nepal and the basic rights of the people.

Stating that Clause 24D of the directives which requires 20 percent investment by Nepalis for obtaining license for running installation works has violated the fundamental rights of Nepali citizens, the petitioner had challenged the SC directives. 

According to Mishra, the provision has promoted foreigners rather than Nepali citizens for acquiring license and therefore requested the apex court to review its decision.

 
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