Delivery-based governance at Energy Ministry

Kathmandu: The Ministry for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has taken various structural and policy initiatives as per the emphasis laid by Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha on policy reforms, good governance and service delivery.

In the two weeks since he assumed office, the ministry has taken steps towards implementing a delivery-based governance system to increase the effectiveness of its work.

For this, a good governance unit has been formed under the coordination of Joint Secretary Rudrasingh Tamang, according to Minister Shrestha’s secretariat.

The unit will regularly monitor the work performance, adherence to deadlines and utilisation of resources of the ministry and its subordinate bodies. Already in fifteen days, the ministry has addressed more than 4,000 complaints by activating the hotline number 1151 related to electricity services.

The ministry has stated that all the complaints received through phone, WhatsApp, email and ‘Hello Government’ have been resolved. The Energy Minister has formed various committees to implement the agenda of governance reforms approved by the Council of Ministers. Separate study committees have been formed to prepare energy consumption and export strategies, review sick projects, remove obstacles in the PPA process, and improve the licensing system.

The ministry has prioritised new bills related to the energy, water resources, and irrigation sectors. Among them, a draft bill on renewable energy and energy efficiency has been prepared, while discussions are ongoing with stakeholders to finalise the electricity policy.

Similarly, the process of employing the family members of the martyrs of the GenZ Movement has moved forward. The Nepal Electricity Authority has decided to include more affected families and has moved forward with the work of ensuring employment to the previously agreed 27 people.

RSS