In what is seen as a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court (SC), Tuesday, stated that the government need not require two-third majority of the parliament to approve the 750 MW-strong West Seti hydropower project.

In response to a writ petition filed against the allotment of the project to Snowy Mountaineering Engineering Project (SMEC), the apex court ruled that there was no need for its intervention.

The writ had been filed pointing at Article 156 of the constitution, which calls for two-third majority while deciding on natural resources and its distribution that are likely to have extensive, serious and long-term effect on the nation.

A division bench of the apex court comprising of judges Anup Raj Sharma and Kalyan Shrestha indicated that the parliamentary approval for West Seti project was not required as it did not involve distribution of the natural resources as the project would be handed over to the government after 30 years.

Likewise, the bench said that the Article 156 did not relate to the production of the electricity, rather it is related about procedures in choosing the project not its management.

The verdict clears the way for the government to develop export-oriented mega hydropower projects.

The West Seti project is being developed by Australian company SMEC and is intended at exporting power to India. nepalnews.com Sep 10 08

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