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Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, has directed subordinate agencies to prepare an immediate “checklist” of tasks, stressing that plans and programs that can be completed within the remaining period of the current fiscal year should be pushed forward with urgency.

During a discussion with the heads of agencies under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Minister Shrestha issued this instruction to representatives of the Nepal Electricity Authority, the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat, and the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre.

He said that although he is not in favor of budget reallocation, he is willing to facilitate adjustments if funds allocated under one heading remain unspent while another program faces difficulties due to a lack of budget.

Emphasizing future planning, Minister Shrestha said that project design must ensure that past state investments are not wasted and that policy stability should be maintained. “Policies should be introduced to facilitate progress, but they must not become obstacles to development,” he said.

He also stressed that programs should be formulated in line with the spirit of fiscal federalism and instructed officials to prepare an “action plan” through consultation and coordination with local governments to achieve energy self-reliance.

Highlighting the need to boost domestic electricity consumption, he called for classifying current electricity usage in industrial and household sectors and developing strategies accordingly, with plans prepared through inter-agency coordination.

He further pointed out the need to collaborate with universities to develop new models for energy development and to focus on “energy startup” projects.

He added that pilot projects could be launched in coordination with local governments to generate energy from waste and establish successful models.

During the discussion, officials including Water Resources Secretary Sarita Dawadi, Energy Secretary Chiranjivi Chataut, Commission Secretary Dinanath Mishra, Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority Hitendra Dev Shakya, and Executive Director of the Centre Nawa Raj Dhakal briefed on existing challenges and future strategies in the energy and water resources sector.

Jalasarokar