PM Nepal slams Maoists for obstructing works at GMR's project

I / Kathmandu February 18, 2010, 15:05 IST

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal today slammed the Maoists for obstructing works on the 600 Mw Upper Marsyangdi project in Western Nepal, a hydro-power scheme developed by Indian energy giant GMR.

Nepal asked the Maoists not to disrupt works on the Upper Marsyangdi Power Project in Lamjung district of Western Nepal.

India's GMR Energy Consortium has been carrying out survey works on the project. He asked the Maoists not to put obstacle on any development works and not to mix politics in economic activities.

Nepal, however assured that the government is committed to maintain peace and security in the project site. Upper Marsyangdi is one of the major hydro-power projects being developed in Nepal by the Indian energy giant.

Prior to this the Maoists have threatened to halt the works at 300 Mw Upper Karnali, also being developed by GMR.

GMR is working to prepare Detailed Project Report of the project. Nepal is currently suffering from acute power shortage and the country is facing daily eleven power outage.

At present around 1 million people have been employed in the handicraft sector and Nepal currently exports handicrafts worth Rs 2 billion to foreign countries.

The Maoists have recently asked the GMR to halt its work and leave the site, saying that the project is heavily in India's interest at the cost of Nepal.