Government’s First 100 Days: Positive Efforts but Lack of Coordination with Private Sector
June 19, Kathmandu – The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation claims to have completed 73 percent of its tasks within the first 100 days of the current government’s formation. Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, during his first month in office, issued a 32-point directive to enhance the ministry’s performance, aiming to make it more effective, accountable, and results-oriented. To ensure the directive’s effective implementation, the ministry conducted a progress review. Based on the review, about 70 percent of the planned tasks have been successfully accomplished, while the remaining 30 percent are in the implementation phase. According to Minister Shrestha’s secretariat, he is firmly committed to results-driven good governance, effective service delivery, and institutional reform. The secretariat also stated that the ministry continues to work diligently to complete all tasks on time and enhance its performance further.
Prabal Adhikari, former Deputy Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, described the ministry’s progress as “policy and paper-based” and said it will take more time to see real outcomes on the ground. Adhikari explained that reforms and plans in the energy sector are long-term, making it difficult to assess their success or failure within just 100 days. “Energy sector improvements do not happen overnight,” he said. “The licenses, PPAs, and structural reforms introduced by the ministry are still in the pipeline. It will take more time to see their results.”
Although the ministry reported 70 percent progress, Adhikari recalled that previous ministers also claimed 80 to 85 percent success. According to him, the problem lies not in the documents but in implementation. “We are often successful on paper and in reports, but project progress on the ground is very slow. Small projects still take 12 to 15 years to complete, and cost overruns remain unresolved,” he added.
The government has advanced significant initiatives such as restructuring the Nepal Electricity Authority and revoking licenses of stalled hydropower projects. However, Adhikari pointed out that broad stakeholder consultation was lacking before making these critical decisions. “Delays in projects are not solely the private sector’s fault; the state also plays a role. Canceling licenses single-handedly or introducing new policies without identifying root causes risks repeating past problems in the future,” he warned.
Highlighting the faster completion of long-delayed work with private sector participation, Adhikari emphasized the need for the government to operate in a ‘mission mode.’ “Budget and policies should not be mere fiscal-political documents but roadmaps for development. The government must establish standards by showing tangible results on the ground, not just through reports,” he said.
Positive Intent in Performance: Uttam Blon Lama, Senior Vice President of the Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal (IPPAN), expressed that the government’s intent during the first 100 days is positive. He noted that the government has a clear vision of how to advance the energy sector, leaving no room for doubt about its intent. “One hundred days is not sufficient for a full evaluation of any government, but based on current intent, the government appears to be taking affirmative steps toward the energy sector’s development,” Lama said.
Pointing out that the private sector holds an 80 percent share in energy production, he stressed the need for the government to work closely with private stakeholders. “As the private sector’s role in transmission lines and other infrastructure grows in the future, close coordination will be crucial,” he added. Although some promising points were noted in the budget, Lama remarked that many issues in the energy sector still require attention and expressed hope that those issues will be addressed effectively in the coming days.
