Public Accounts Committee seeks Lal Commission's report on power tariffs

Kathmandu, July 25: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives on Thursday asked the government to provide the report on the power tariffs for 'dedicated and trunk lines' prepared by the probe commission formed under the leadership of former Supreme Court Justice Girish Chandra Lal.     

The Committee has written to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation asking it to share the report for the purpose of study, PAC Chairperson Rishikesh Pokharel said.     

Earlier on Thursday, the Committee held discussions with the business leaders and entrepreneurs on the power tariffs row in the aftermath of the Lal Commission's report.     

During the meeting, lawmakers Rajendra Lingden, Arjunnar Singh KC and Rajan Dahal said the Lal Commission's recommendations should be implemented.     

Lawmaker Dr Amresh Kumar Singh said entrepreneurs should not deviate from the crux of the matter as the industries were supplied power by disconnecting the power supply distributed for household purpose.     

Likewise, lawmaker Hari Dhakal suggested that the businesspeople should run their businesses legally instead of visiting the doorsteps for deals.     

However, industrialist Pashupati Murarka said the industrialists would pay the tariffs but they should be given with the TOD Meter.     

Meanwhile, the meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the Parliament has directed the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation to submit the report of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) within a week.     

A meeting of the Committee held in Singhadurbar on Thursday made such decision.     

Committee Chairperson Raj Kishor Yadav urged the minister to submit the ICAO report within a week saying that the report was not received in the past despite several requests.     

Likewise, the Committee has directed the Tourism Ministry to inform the Committee about the bill designed to separate the licensing and regulatory functions of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).     

Most of the Committee members have voiced to advance the bill to separate the CAAN jurisdiction in view of aviation safety.(RSS)