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Ghising recall: Locals close down Rasuwa district
Agitating locals, who are demanding the reinstatement of Chilime Hydropower Company’s Managing Director Kulman Ghising, closed down Rasuwa district on Monday.Krishna Thapa
The locals, who have been holding protests for the last four days, brought to a halt vehicular movements across the district. The protesters have warned of an indefinite strike if the government fails to address their demand. Dawa Gumbo Tamang, a local, said if the government does not address their demand, they would be forced to intensify the protest.
The locals have also padlocked three projects offices, including those of Lower and Upper Sanjen Hydroelectric projects and Rasuwagadi Hydropower project.
Meanwhile, three unions — National Employees Union, Nepal National Employees Organization and Employees Welfare Trust — have also jointly demanded that the government reinstate Ghising.
On July 17, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) had recalled Ghising, who has been credited with expanding Chilime’s business, by setting up four more hydropower projects with a combined capacity of around 270MW.
The subsidiaries include 11MW Rasuwagadi, 103MW Bhotekoshi III, 42MW Sanjen and 14MW Upper Sanjen. Ghising was also instrumental in Chilime’s initial public offering that benefited the locals.
NEA has maintained Ghising was called back after his tenure as Chilime director ended on June 19, 2014. NEA cited the Company Act’s provision which states the tenure of a director of a public company shall not exceed four years.
This is not the first time Ghising is being called back. One year ago, then Energy Minister Umakanta Jha had decided to remove Ghising. But the decision was revoked following strong protest from NEA Trade Union and residents of Rasuwa, where the project is based.