Kathmandu: Creating a conflict of interest, the government has appointed Kapil Acharya, a private hydropower company owner, as a member of the Nepal Electricity Authority board of directors that regulates the country’s energy sector.

Acharya was a member of the board of directors of Himalaya Urja Bikas Company Limited until 13 days ago. It has been learned that he resigned from the position so as to get the NEA appointment.

His company has obtained a licence from the authority to develop the 12-megawatt Upallo Khimti Hydropower Project.

In addition, he is also associated with Shine Technocrats Limited and Professional Engineers Builders. These companies have worked as consultants in various energy projects.

Arjun Bahadur Karki, a former secretary and former managing director of the authority, says such an appointment is not appropriate as the authority is required to take various policy decisions about private projects and sign power purchase agreements with them.

Stating there was such a practice in the past also, he says this is a moral question rather than a legal one.

While appointing Acharya for the four years, the government, meanwhile, repeated Bhakta Bahadur Pun as another member of the board for the next term.