LALITPUR: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, has underscored the need to increase the consumption of electricity within the country.

Addressing a discussion program on the promotion of electric cooking stoves organized on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the Electric Cooking Stove National Campaign in Lalitpur today, he said the electric stove is useful for every Nepali from the economic, social and environmental viewpoint.

The theme of the discussion program is – ‘Let Us Increase the Use of Electric Stoves: Let Us Contribute to Improving Health.’

Energy Minister Basnet said that the government has emphasized the production of maximum hydroelectricity as it is the basis for the country’s prosperity.

He suggested enlisting the participation of the private sector also by providing it with subsidies and concessions in the production of hydropower for the success of the campaign.

The Minister called on all sides to be serious regarding the climate change impacts, including in the agricultural sector.