West Seti probe panel deadline extended

KATHMANDU, March 20: The parliamentary committee on natural resources and means on Monday asked the sub-committee formed to probe the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Three Gorges Corporation (CTGC) for West Seti Project to submit its report by March 28, extending the 10-day mandate that expired Monday.



“We have extended the deadline for submission of the report on West Seti as we needed more time to investigate and take suggestions,” said Chairperson of the committee Shanta Chaudhary, who also chairs the 11-member probe sub-committee. Chaudhary revealed that the sub-committee has yet to receive the energy ministry´s response on the former´s 16-point query.[break]



The parliamentary committee had formed the probe committee on March 9 after a majority of lawmakers expressed doubts over the intention behind the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CTGC without competitive bidding on Feb 29.



Lawmaker Laxman Ghimire, who is an invited member of the probe committee, blasted joint secretary at the energy ministry Arjun Karki for going to the press on the issue. ”I raised the issue as Karki gave comments to the media like a local agent of CTGC,” Ghimire told Republica.



“We have been very careful about maintaining the dignity of parliamentary investigations, while the ministry has been going to the media instead of co-operating with the investigations,” added Ghimire.



Ghimire added that the energy ministry has not provided the MoU, signed with the Chinese, till date and asked the ministry answer the queries instead of going to the press to defend the company.



Karki, who had signed the MoU with CTGC Executive Vice-chairman Wang Shofeng on February 29, said the ministry has to own the MoU.



“I am also the spokesperson for the ministry and I have to address the queries of media on the developments. I don´t see how that can be construed as acting like the company´s local agent,” Karki argued claiming that the ministry has also maintained dignity of the investigations.



The meeting on Monday also directed the sub-committee to submit its reports on the obstruction of work in Upper Karnali project and government intervention in the selection process of management team for Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Limited by April 12.

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