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The full text of a Supreme Court verdict released on Friday has cleared the way for the implementation of the Nepal-India Long-Term Power Trade Agreement-2024, ruling that the deal does not require ratification by the Federal Parliament.

The verdict was issued on November 5, 2024, by a full bench comprising then Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, now Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla, and Justice Mahesh Sharma Paudel.

The bench had dismissed a petition filed by former CIAA chief commissioner Surya Nath Upadhyaya challenging the agreement signed at the secretary level on January 4, 2024.

The court ruled that the agreement is consistent with the Constitution and international practice.

Under the deal, Nepal plans to export 10,000 megawatts of electricity to India over the next decade.

The apex court directed the government to present the agreement before both houses of Parliament within 30 days for information purposes and publish it in the Nepal Gazette.

It also ordered the government to ensure electricity exports do not affect domestic supply and to safeguard Nepal’s national interest in future water resources agreements.

The ruling effectively allows the government to move ahead with the long-term cross-border power trade plan.

NepalNews