Party Members Prohibited from Contesting President Position in Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal

May 14, Kathmandu – The Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal (IPPAN) has implemented comprehensive reforms in its leadership selection process, addressing longstanding disputes and dissatisfaction within the organization.

The association’s 24th General Assembly and 8th Convention held on May 12 adopted a provision for open competition for all positions, including the president, starting from the upcoming term.

The convention amended the bylaws to abolish the previous system where the senior vice president automatically succeeded as president. From now on, all eligible members will directly compete for every post, including that of president.

The earlier structure, where the senior vice president automatically became president and office bearers were selected solely by the executive committee, had caused dissatisfaction among members.

Prior to the convention, leadership selection, representation, and bylaw amendments had sparked disputes. Some members raised concerns about growing influence of limited groups within the association and weakening democratic practices, demanding open competition.

On this basis, the General Assembly amended the bylaws to make leadership selection more inclusive and competitive. As per the revised rules, candidates for president must have previously served at least one term on the executive committee.

Additionally, IPPAN now prohibits candidates for president and senior vice president posts from holding membership in any political party. Those previously affiliated must provide proof of resignation from such membership. This aims to maintain the association’s independence from political influences.

The bylaw revision process had been underway for several years. At the 21st Annual General Assembly, a five-member committee led by Bhanubhakta Pokharel prepared a report proposing amendments including transforming IPPAN into a federation.

However, since the federation transformation process did not progress, IPPAN decided to proceed with the convention based on the existing bylaws.

The General Assembly also approved expanding the organization’s structure. The number of vice presidents increased from five to seven, and secretaries from five to seven. Balram Khatri and Prakashchandra Dulal were elected vice presidents, while Krishna Ghimire and Deepak Paudel were selected as secretaries. Furthermore, provisions were included to nominate five permanent invited members.

IPPAN stated that to end polarization and include all factions, two vice presidents, two secretaries, and five permanent invited members were selected unanimously.

In the recent leadership election, all posts except treasurer reached consensus, leading to the unanimous selection of the new executive committee. Treasurer candidates Shankar Basyal and Mithun Paudel competed, but Paudel left the polling station during voting. Based on the votes, Basyal was elected with 267 votes to Paudel’s 82.

Energy sector entrepreneurs described these changes as efforts to resolve internal disputes and promote cooperation and consensus within the association.

Following approval from the District Administration Office, the revised bylaws will be fully implemented. IPPAN expressed confidence that the new provisions will make the organization more democratic, inclusive, and transparent.

Reforms Following Periods of Dispute

Power producers investing billions of rupees in hydropower projects faced various challenges in the association. The organization had faced severe criticism for operational renewal delays up to 2024.

The issues affected even the General Assembly’s inauguration ceremony. Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha attended only after learning from the District Administration Office that the renewal had been completed until 2024.

There had been growing calls to resolve the problems both inside and outside the organization and move forward responsibly.

Opposition and warnings emerged over the association’s operation without renewal, decisions made by the General Assembly, and the mandate committee’s annulments.

Following warnings from outgoing Deputy Secretary Prakash Dulal and others, then IPPAN President Ganesh Karki issued a statement dismissing these matters as misleading and baseless.

The matter was also widely discussed at the General Assembly. Despite the long-standing disputes, the 8th Convention decided to reject the plan to transform IPPAN into a federation after amending the bylaws.

The proposal to advance IPPAN as a more effective and empowered body by transforming it into a federation has been postponed indefinitely.