KATHMANDU, Jan 29: Stakeholders are expressing concerns and reservations about the 'Electricity Bill 2080 BS' recently introduced in Parliament. Many believe that addressing the issues of the energy sector could be better achieved by amending and fully implementing the existing Electricity Act of 2049 BS (1992).

The Electricity Bill 2080 BS is currently pending before the Infrastructure Development Committee of the Federal Parliament. The committee is working by forming a sub-committee (Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Sub-Committee) to address the questions on the Electricity Bill. In a meeting of experts from the power sector on Sunday, the members of the Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal (IPPAN) and the Solar Electric Manufacturers Association Nepal (SEMAN) questioned the need for the new electricity bill.

Krishna Acharya, former president of IPPAN, expressed skepticism about the intentions behind the new bill, suggesting it appears designed for control rather than protection.

"The new bill is not for protection but to control. The new bill seems to curtail the rights granted by the Electricity Act of 1992," said Acharya. "In a situation where politicians have turned every sector into their income-generating source, it seems that the new bill has been brought without any inputs from the hydropower sector," Acharya added.

Acharya said that when he reached 14 ministries, 23 departments and 200 tables, he had seen a mentality of directing and controlling investors everywhere. Acharya suggested that instead of politicizing and controlling employees, they should focus on facilitation, which would help in the development of the sector.

Energy entrepreneur Guru Neupane suggested that rather than introducing a new bill, amending the Act of 1992 would be more appropriate. He emphasized the need to revise the Act of 1992, a discussion that has been ongoing since 2007 without any concrete amendments. Neupane expressed skepticism about the possibility of amending the act in the present scenario.

Neupane suggested uniformity in laws for both foreigners and Nepalis rather than having separate regulations. Mohan Dangi, senior vice president of IPPAN, said that the new bill is regressive and recommended amending the old one.

During the discussion, Kedar Karki, a hydropower developer, raised questions about the obstacles posed by the previous act and the necessity for a new one. “What did the previous act hinder and why is the new act needed? For whom is the government creating a new one?,” said Kaki.

Similarly, hydropower developer Lal Prasad KC opined that the laws and regulations of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Nepal Electricity Authority and Department of Electricity Development are conflicting with each other, and this situation should be resolved. KC questioned the rationale behind a new law instead of amending the existing laws of 1992 and asked for clarification from the government.

 
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