Miscellaneous
Two Maoist parties warn stir against PDA
The UCPN (Maoist) and the CPN-Maoist have said that they would not allow the signing of a power development agreement with GMR, India, for Arun III Hydro-electirc project.Ekantipur Report
Organising a press conference in the Capital on Monday, the two parties, which have recently formed a working alliance, demanded the government not to initiate the deal as it would hurt the national interest. They have also warned of a stir to stop the signing of the agreement. The UCPN (Maoist) has said that it would protest against the deal in the Parliament, while CPN-Maoist has warned of street demonstration.
Lila Mani Pokhrel, the chief of Water Resource Department of the UCPN (Maoist), said such agreement is not necessary and it would hurt the national interest. He added the objective of the Indian proposal is to capture the water resources of the country like in Bhutan.
Dharmendra Bastola, the chief of Water Resource Department of the CPN-Maoist, said that the larger aim of the proposal is to exploit the natural resources of Nepal. If the Nepali side accepts the proposal, he said, the people will have to live in the dark for 100 years. He also criticised the press statement issued by the Indian Embassy, refuting India's alleged attempt at dominating Nepal's energy sector.
The two Maoist parties are in continuous protest against any agreements with India related to hydropower projects.