Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said the government would take maximum efforts to address the demands being raised by the power producers.

During the meeting with office-bearers of the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN) at the official residence of the Prime Minister, Baluwatar, today, Prime Minister Prachanda mentioned that the government would take initiatives to provide compensation to the projects damaged by landslide and flood.

He shared that necessary preparation and initiatives were underway for the implementation of agreements made during his recently held India visit.

The Prime Minister also assured of addressing some of the policy-level and topical issues raised by the power producers.

On the occasion, IPPAN demanded to provide refinancing from Nepal Rastra Bank for the reconstruction of the damaged hydropower projects, to extend the deadline to produce electricity by two years and to provide discounts in customs and VAT in the import of machines and spare parts required for the reconstruction.

IPPAN President Ganesh Karki said they also demanded the Prime Minister to make necessary arrangements to provide 50 per cent amount in advance from insurance based on preliminary details of the ‘surveyor’ as well as to reschedule the loan taken for the reconstruction of the projects up to 20 per cent.

The power producers also demanded to create an energy development-friendly environment, to sign a power purchase agreement with projects that have filed applications at the Nepal Electricity Authority and to pass the Electricity Act immediately, added Karki.