"Things will change" - Nepali Times

Interview
"Things will change"
Interview with Minister for Energy Gokarna Bista

FROM ISSUE #566 (12 AUG 2011 - 18 AUG 2011) | TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Nepali Times: What is different in your approach to energy development?
Gokarna Bista: For the first time, the executive head of NEA has been selected on competitive basis and I have initiated the process to scrap the provision of minister heading the NEA. Apart from this, I have overseen establishment of a company to invest in the hydropower development, initiation of big project like Upper Tama Kosi, the preparation of a master plan for the extension of transmission lines and prioritisation of reservoir based projects.

But we've heard all this before, haven't we?
I was not a part of governments that produced only 600 MW in 100 years. I am determined to leave a mark in hydropower development. I understand well that without augmenting production, we cannot end load-shedding.

But the private producers are not happy with you?
I am ready to listen to their complaints but if they want us to revise PPA of old projects then they are being unreasonable.

Why can't the government offer revise all PPAs?
How many times should we amend the PPA for the same project? We are ready to listen to legitimate demands, but they can't have everything their way.

Why have you initiated the idea of new Board instead of improving NEA?
In order to improve the NEA's financial condition, there is a need to eliminate existing malpractices. This will take time. But in order to tackle the power crunch, we need to extend transmission lines immediately. In the last ten years, NEA has extended only 127 km of transmission lines,we need thousands of kilometers. A new company would meet this challenge.

Read also:
The urgency of the energy emergency, EDITORIAL
Keep power politics out of power policy, SAROJ DAHAL
Power cuts here to stay into the 2020s unless corruption and politicisation are checked
Electric future, GAGAN THAPA
An end to power cuts is not just desirable, it is possible

1. Funkybuddha917
All the best Mr. Bista. Your words carry determination and you have started few steps that none of your predecessors even thought of partaking. What's troubling is the fact that you will lose your authority anytime the government falls, and in Nepal's case, it could be 'anytime'. Hopefully you can instill some decency and sense of urgency in your successor as well.

Thank you,

Funkybuddha917

Posted on: 13 AUG 2011 | 8:40 AM NST

2. Sherpa Observer
Person like Gokarna Bista deserves people's support. What he has done recently should have done long time ago. But it is never too late to do right thing. He is a man with a vision and only such person should be in the power seat. People like Bista, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai (as finance minister), Keshav Sthapit (as Mayor) and Late Man Mohan Adhikary (as prime minister) had some visions and achieved something.

And there are THE OTHERS like Sher Bahadur Deuba (god knows why he should be PM), Pushpa Kamal Dahal (what has he done besides war and lies), Khanal (what a jerk), Ram Chandra Paudel (does he even have a vision), Susil Koirala (a clean man but without a leadership ability) and they are the ones who keep negotiating and re-negotiating while the country is being pushed towards dark future.

NOC, NEA, Tribhuwan University, NAC, all these should be privatised and handed over to private companies in order to have smooth corruption less functioning. Government must release these institutions from their grip. Government's job is to make policies and programs and maintain law and order and collect tax, not do business.

We need more people like Bista!

Posted on: 13 AUG 2011 | 10:18 AM NST

3. Dan Bahadur

Dear Minister

All the best for fulfilling the dreams of Nepalese in making Nepal an exporter of hydro power and earning hydro dollars. The vision is to produce energy so that every house in the country is lit up and replace the use of gas for cooking with electricity. With the present pace of development it make take another century.

Posted on: 14 AUG 2011 | 6:37 PM NST

4. Gorkhali
All the Best !!! Hope we can some result soon in the future.

Jai Gorkhali !!

Posted on: 15 AUG 2011 | 6:14 PM NST

5. Jonathan Sharma
Mr Bista - Great Job. You are the 1st nepali minister or politician that I have any respect for. I really admire you and what you have done in such a short time. You need to destroy the Nepali Mafia that rules the business and govt. entities. You know who these blood suckers are. I hope that someday you will be the PM of Nepal so that you can implement policy for the poor Nepali mass. Me and my friends have a lot of hope in you. Do not let us down please.

Posted on: 15 AUG 2011 | 8:58 PM NST

6. Chetan Dahal
Agree with everyone.After a very long time it feels like someone has or wants to do something in Nepal.

I feel people need to support this guy.

Posted on: 17 AUG 2011 | 6:21 PM NST

7. Vidhan Rana
Solute to Gokarna Bista. In his few months as the energy minister, he achieved more than perhaps any other energy minister in the recent past. It is unfortunate to see him go. I see that he left the ministry on foot once UML got out of the government. Though some may call this populist or media theater, I completely support and solute your efforts Mr. Bista.

Posted on: 30 AUG 2011 | 2:38 PM NST