According to the Maoists, the threat against GMR is part of their ‘national independence campaign’ (read ‘national independence campaign against India’). Why India? Because, in the eyes of the party, they are responsible for keeping them out of the current power equation for so long! It’s unfortunate that out of desperation, the Maoists are speaking and doing things, which in the long run will be detrimental not only to them but to the country as a whole.
GMR was awarded the contract to build, own, operate and transfer the 300 MW Upper Karnali Hydropower Project through Open Competitive Bidding in January 2008. If a company that has secured a project through a fair and a transparent process is threatened and intimidated, will it not discourage international companies from entering the Nepali market in the future? Isn’t this a big blow on a country that is incapable of financing mega projects on its own? Take for example Nepal’s failure so far to develop the highly-attractive and low-cost Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project.
A party that calls itself the ‘true’ representative of the people should listen to the call of the locals – who have benefited tremendously from health, education and infrastructure development activities initiated by GMR – and not only withdraw their threats but apologize to the company. Nepalis have been bearing the brunt of treacherous power cuts for some years and it is only projects such as these that can provide relief to them a few years down the line. The Maoists have no right to deny the people the future benefits that such projects will bring to them. It’s time UCPN (Maoist) rose over dirty politicking and gave development a ‘real’ chance.
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