Kathmandu. Newly-appointed Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has said nobody should be deprived of energy.

Directing the employees after assuming office at the Ministry today, Minister Shrestha said nobody should be left out from energy sector. “The demand for clean energy has increased rapidly in the 21st century and we will be involved in the development of clean energy by formulating policies as per the time,” he said.

Minister Shrestha also said that coordination would be made with the Finance Ministry to create environment conducive for investment in energy sector. According to him, the government would work for the development of energy and irrigation sector by coordinating with the ministry. He stressed the need of putting an end to the situation of fertile land becoming barren due to lack of water. Minister Shrestha said that a team would be formed to build water recharge system in urban and rural areas, adding that the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre should be further strengthened for the development of alternative energy.

Minister Shrestha insisted on the need of further research in energy and irrigation sector as the 21st century is the age of research. He added that a good governance committee would be formed at the Ministry on the basis of the Good Governance Act. He added that fiscal governance would be pursued in an effective manner.

Minister Shrestha said that the Ministry should study the complaints received at the Ministry and the challenges surfaced therein and seek solutions to them. He also directed the employees to disseminate the activities carried out in the ministry to the general public through media every week.

Shrestha was elected to the State Assembly of Bagmati Province in 2074 BS from Bibeksheel Sajha Party and was elected to the House of Representatives from Kathmandu Constituency-8 in 2079 BS.

Minister Shrestha had played an important role in getting the bill passed to make Nepal Bhasa and Tamang language the official languages of Bagmati Province during his tenure in the State Assembly. After graduating in Business Administration, Shrestha worked in hotel-restaurant management and various projects.