Kathmandu. Minister for Home Affairs Om Prakash Aryal has directed the government to immediately bring into operation the closed Upper Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project demanding free shares in the name of Gen-G youths.

A team led by Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN) Chair Ganesh Karki on Wednesday briefed the Home Minister about the incident.

Chairman Ganesh Karki said that shutting down the hydropower project in the name of Gen-G youths was anarchy and urged Home Minister Aryal to create an environment conducive for the operation of the hydropower project as soon as possible.

After listening to IPPAN, Home Minister Aryal telephoned Chief District Officer of Sindhupalchowk Bandhu Prasad Bastola and directed him to bring the Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project into operation immediately.

“Gen-G youth have the right to make demands. If there are legitimate demands, they can be met through dialogue and discussion. The production of the project was not halted. Home Minister Aryal told Bastola, “If you can’t bring the project into operation, you should report what support the home ministry should provide, but the production has not stopped.” ‘

Following the Gen-G agitation of September 7 and September 7, the company has stopped the production of electricity from September 10 demanding 10 percent free share to the Gen-G youths of the 45 MW Upper Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project in Sindhupalchowk.

The project used to generate electricity worth 98 lakhs per day during the rainy season. According to Bikram Sthapit, chief executive officer of Bhotekoshi Power Company, the project has lost over Rs 270 million in income due to the closure of the project for the past 28 days.

Gen-G youths had sent a letter to the company threatening to stop generating electricity from Bhotekoshi unless they were given 10 percent free shares. Locals have sent a letter demanding 10 percent free share in other hydropower projects in Sindhupalchowk as the project has not been brought into operation even after the closure of the project for 28 days in the name of Gen-G.

IPPAN senior vice-president Mohan Kumar Dangi said that the state should provide security to the hydropower project as it is the national priority. Stating that the private sector has been generating 3,000 megawatts of electricity with investment of more than Rs 1500 billion, he said the private sector would not be able to work if the state failed to ensure security.

Mohan Bikram Karki, proprietor of the Upper Balefi Hydropower Project, said that no promoter can invest more in such an environment as it has demoralized the hydropower producers.

Gen-G youths have threatened to halt the production of electricity from October 14 if the 22.2 MW Upper Chaku A Hydropower Project fails to provide 10 percent free shares.

Similarly, the company has demanded 10 percent free share in the 36 MW Upper Balefi A, 7.2 MW Yambaling Khola, 990 KW Solang Khola and Ghattekhola hydropower projects that have already come into operation in Sindhupalchowk.

Similarly, the government has also sent letters to Gen-G and local youths demanding 10 percent free share in other under-construction hydropower projects, including 22.14 MW Balefi A, 1.5 MW Lower Selang, 46 MW Upper Balefi Khola, 35 MW Nyasim Khola and 65 MW Dudhkhola.