Kathmandu. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has said that his aim is to complete the projects that have been in a state of illness for years first rather than initiating new projects that will put additional financial burden on the country.

He said this during a meeting with officials of the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation on Friday. Stating that a solution would be sought by classifying the problems, Minister Shrestha directed the subordinate officers to carry out the works that should be done at the ministerial level while the work to be done at other levels would show results as per their responsibility. “It’s not important who sits in the chair. What is the responsibility of the person sitting in the chair? And how much of his responsibility is important is important. Minister Shrestha said, “Let’s all work together so that the people can feel the improvement in the remaining three periods of the current fiscal year.” ’

Minister Shrestha said that let’s think together about what could be improved in financial, governance and structural-level and work towards achieving the target by utilizing our capacity, skills and budget.

Stating that the impact of the foreign currency increase on the development projects is still yet to be seen, he stressed the need of all to pay attention to complete the projects on time. Who will utilize the development when big projects have not been completed for years? “It is a matter of concern that irrigation projects have not been completed for three decades,” he said.

Budget is the main problem in development projects. Is the budget the only problem? Minister Shrestha asked.

On the occasion, Water Resources Secretary Sarita Dawadi said that questions have been raised everywhere as to why the irrigation projects are not completed on time. He stressed the need to give special priority to the projects of national pride as problems like land acquisition and tree felling were common problems of development projects.

There are 6 national pride projects under the Department including Babai Irrigation Project, Sikta Irrigation, Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project, Sunkoshi Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project.

Currently, the Department is constructing various projects through 215 contracts. Director General of the Department, Mitra Baral, said that out of 33 problematic contracts, 22 contracts have been terminated. In the current fiscal year, the overall financial progress of the offices under the Department has been around 29 percent.