KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, has said that the national motto of building a prosperous Nepal would be fulfilled only through partnership between the government and the private sector.

He reiterated that the government is committed to addressing the demands put forth by the private sector and it has moved ahead respecting the appropriate ones.

The Energy Minister presented the data that the energy production has increased from 800 megawatts to 3,000 megawatts over the last decade and electricity has reached 98 percent households.

He called for thinking in a new way from today alone for bridging the gap in energy production during the monsoon and the dry season, stressing on creation of environment for speeding up the under-construction projects, keeping in priority the reservoir-based projects and for moving ahead the concept of energy mixture.

Minister Basnet maintained that the government has not seen the energy sector only as infrastructure, but also accepted it as the main basis for economic prosperity, urging the private sector to put in investment without any qualms.

“I draw your attention, why could not the works be carried out in a notable way even for more than 10 years after taking the production license? I call upon IPPAN for taking up responsible initiation on this,” he said, urging the private sector to fulfill its responsibility.

The Energy Minister assured the private sector not to worry much about the power purchase agreement issue, saying, “You come forward that you will do certain amount of work.”

He said that the Ministry shall facilitate in creating a conducive environment adding that the government was ready to address the demands of the private sector.