KATHMANDU: Employees of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) have strongly opposed Energy Minister Deepak Khadka’s statement attributing the end of load shedding in Nepal to India.
Two employee unions—the NEA Employees Welfare Council and the National Employees Union— issued a joint statement on Thursday, condemning the minister’s remarks as an insult to Nepal’s sovereignty.
The statement emphasized that the elimination of load shedding was a result of government planning, efficient management, the dedication of NEA employees, and responsible electricity consumption by the public. “Claiming that Nepal had no role in ending load shedding undermines the efforts of all involved,” it read.
The employees’ unions also criticized Minister Khadka’s assertion that NEA’s profits were merely “on paper,” arguing that such statements discredit the organization’s financial reports, which are approved by the NEA Board and audited by the Office of the Auditor General.
Furthermore, they accused the ministry of demoralizing NEA staff by frequently demanding explanations from officials and interfering in employee transfers. “Targeting individuals for transfers and repeatedly seeking clarifications hampers the mission of a well-lit and prosperous Nepal,” the statement added.
Minister Khadka had made his controversial remarks in Parliament on Thursday, suggesting that India deserved credit for ending Nepal’s load shedding crisis.
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