Opposition in Nepal raises question over re-handing of Hydel to Chinese Firm

Updated:7 years, 1 month ago

Kathmandu (Nepal), Sep 27 (ANI): Questions have been raised over the handing over of the Budhigandaki Hydro Project to Chinese firm ‘China Gezhouba Group Corporation’ by the KP Oli government in the Himalayan nation. Nepali Congress lawmaker Gagan Thapa questioned government’s intention behind re-awarding the project to a defunct company while speaking in the lower house of Nepal’s parliament. Alleging that the decision to award the project to the Chinese firm did not comply with the existing law and violated Public Purchase Act, Thapa also said that the Oli government defied open competition for the project as the government already signed the MoU with the Chinese company. The much awaited 1,200 MW plant on Budhi Gandaki River, about 50 km (32 miles) west of Kathmandu has become the center of attention and focus in Nepal as it is expected to produce surplus power to sell in the International market. The cost of the construction of the project is expected to be 2.5 Billion USD.