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The Education, Health and Information Technology Committee under the House of Representatives has directed the government to submit all the documents related to Mobile Device Management System (MDMS) and Telecommunication Traffic Monitoring and Fraud Control System (Teramocs).

A meeting of the committee held today directed the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to submit to it the papers related to policy decision, purchase process, payment and rationale of implementation concerning MDMS and Teramocs from the start.

It also decided to ask for the ministry-level investigation report on these topics and the court decisions related to the same and to take further decisions on the basis of consultations with experts.

The committee's decision comes after discussions it held with Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma, Ministry Secretary Ram Krishna Subedi, among other officials of the Ministry today.

In the meeting, Minister Sharma shared that the Ministry is studying the policy decisions made by the previous governments and the works carried out by the implementing bodies.

She said the Ministry will cooperate in the investigations to be carried out by the authorized agency into the topic of any said irregularities in the implementation of these systems.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, has emphasized that hydroelectricity is the major means for reducing trade deficit and taking the country ahead towards prosperity, and the government has kept it in main priority.

Addressing a program organized on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal (IPPAN) here today, he said the country's energy sector can take a leap only through a meaningful initiative of the government and the private sector.

DPM Shrestha stressed on the need of increasing the consumption of energy within the country, stating that the government is effortful in reducing the trade deficit by selling the surplus power. Reiterating that the government is committed to creating an environment conducive for investment in the energy sector, he said the present government is active in realizing the desire of Nepali people for economic prosperity.

"Economic prosperity, social justice and good governance are the main priorities of the government," he said. Stating that the Investment Summit is being held in coming April, DPM Shrestha maintained the bodies concerned would be consulted for legal and structural improvements for bringing foreign investment in the energy sector.

According to him, although an agreement has been made to export 10,000 megawatts of electricity to India in 10 years, the topic of increasing the domestic consumption of power is the major priority.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, said the private sector has a contribution of 60 percent in the energy sector of the country and the national motto of building a prosperous Nepal would be fulfilled only through partnership between the government and the private sector.

He reiterated that the government is committed to addressing the demands put forth by the private sector and it has moved ahead respecting the appropriate ones. The energy minister presented the data that the energy production has increased from 800 megawatts to 3,000 megawatts over the last decade and electricity has reached 98 percent of households.

He called for thinking in a new way from today alone for bridging the gap in energy production during the monsoon and the dry season, stressing on creation of an environment for speeding up the under-construction projects, keeping in priority the reservoir-based projects and for moving ahead the concept of energy mixture.

Minister Basnet maintained that the government has not seen the energy sector only as infrastructure, but also accepted it as the main basis for economic prosperity, urging the private sector to put in investment without any qualms.

"I draw your attention, why could not the works be carried out in a notable way even for more than 10 years after taking the production license? I call upon IPPAN for taking up responsible initiation on this," he said, urging the private sector to fulfill its responsibility. The energy minister assured the private sector not to worry much about the power purchase agreement issue, saying, "You come forward and you will do a certain amount of work. Come forward completing the works that need to be done from your side. The Ministry shall facilitate in creating a conducive environment for that. The government is ready to address the demands of the private sector."

IPPAN president Ganesh Karki said the country's energy sector is moving forward on a progress trajectory and urged the government to address the demands related to power purchase agreement and the like. He also called attention to the government for addressing the security challenges of the energy sector.

Chief Minister of Koshi Province, Kedar Karki, has urged the Non-Resident Nepalis to invest in Koshi Province.

At a mobile bus handover program organized here on Wednesday, CM Karki vowed that the provincial government would protect and promote investment in the province.

The mobile bus was handed over to Nepal Red Cross Society, Sunsari for blood collection. It was provided with the assistance of the NRN Association. "Here is a huge potential for investment. You can come and explore the uncharted territory, "he called NRNs, vowing protection of capital, labor and technology.

According to him, even NRNs have a vital role in the country's development. The government would not leave any stone unturned to create a favorable atmosphere for capital mobilization. Unity among the Nepalis living in the country and abroad is important for Nepal's development, he underlined.

CM Karki also thanked the NRNA for its assistance with a mobile bus.

On the occasion, NRN Association's Chairman Dr Badri KC said although they were living abroad, they continue extending utmost support to Nepal and Nepalis and help create investment.

Sunsari chapter Chairman of Nepal Red Cross Society, Umesh Thapa, expressed happiness over the assistance received from NRN.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has assigned Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka to work as acting Prime Minister during the absence of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal in office.

Issuing a press statement today, the President's Office informed that as PM Dahal left for Uganda leading a Nepali delegation to attend the 19th NAM summit being held in Kampala, Uganda early this morning, the President asked DPM Khadka to carry out responsibilities of PM Dahal.