Kathmandu. The newly appointed office-bearers of the Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) have taken oath of office and secrecy.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha on Thursday held a meeting at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation. Ram Prasad Dhital and Balaram Silwal, Lokraj Pathak and Jayaraj Bhandari took the oath of office and secrecy.

Minister Shrestha said that experienced office-bearers have come to the Commission and directed to work for policy-level and structural reforms. He also pledged full support from the Ministry to the Commission’s work.

The Commission’s office-bearers pledged to carry out works keeping good governance at the centre as per the spirit of the government.

NHRC Chair Dhital said the government would strictly implement the standards of good governance. He further said that the ministry would play a regulatory role and facilitate the increase in the national consumption of electricity under the guidance of the ministry. “The commission should have policy guidance and guardianship from the ministry. We work in close coordination with the ministry. This team will not disappoint,” he said.

The members of the commission also said that they had worked in this sector for the last 20 years and expressed their commitment to use their learning and experience to produce result-oriented results.

Minister Shrestha said that the Commission should also supervise the DoE and NEA under the Ministry as regulatory bodies. He expressed the belief that this team would enhance the dignity of the commission and become exemplary. He also suggested to prepare a work schedule for the procurement process of the Nepal Electricity Authority.

“I have taken this commission as an instrument of good governance. The commission also had to look at social justice. It should also contribute to the policy gap. The law has to be made predictable,” he said.

Minister Shrestha said that he wants governance reform of the bodies related to energy from the commission.