KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Deepak Khadka has expressed that the white paper recently released by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) reflects the true financial state of the institution.
Speaking at a meeting of the Infrastructure Development Committee under the House of Representatives held at Singha Durbar on Wednesday, Minister Khadka said the white paper was timely and essential, especially as confusion loomed over the NEA’s financial standing.
“The white paper has revealed the NEA’s actual condition,” he said, adding that a comprehensive audit of the Authority will be conducted soon.
Minister Khadka clarified that discrepancies between the Auditor General’s reports, which indicated financial losses, and former NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising’s claims of profit had created confusion. He further stated that Ghising had refused to comply with a decision to conduct an audit at that time.
The Minister dismissed claims that the NEA had been operating in profit as lacking factual basis.
During the meeting, Maoist Centre lawmaker Madhav Sapkota said that while his party does not endorse the glorification of individuals, it is equally important not to demoralize any committed public servant. He criticized the government’s tendency to remove officials who do not align with its preferences.
Sapkota emphasized that dismissing Kulman Ghising’s contributions to Nepal’s power sector would be unfair. He proposed that the committee invite both the current NEA leadership and the Auditor General – and, if necessary, Ghising himself – to gain a clear and comprehensive understanding of the NEA’s status.
He further urged political parties to stop the trend of the opposition blindly defending Ghising while the ruling side seeks to vilify him.
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