NEW SPOTLIGHT Dec. 25. 2020 1 NEW SPOTLIGHT Dec. 25. 2020 2 NEW SPOTLIGHTFORTNIGHTLY Notes From The Editor Vol.: 14, No.-09, Dec- 25, 2020 (Poush. 10.2077) Price: NRs. 100 Editor and Publisher Dissolving the House of Representatives, Prime Keshab Poudel Minister K.P. Shama Oli has established himself as the leader of the party. Following the dissolution Contributor of the House, Nepali politics has been polarized Sabine Pretsch against PM Oli. This will politically benefit him in the long and short runs. Holding periodical elections Design/Layout and mid-term polls is a regular phenomenon in the Sahil Mokthan, 9863022025 democratic process. In a parliamentary democracy, Marketing Manager the prime minister has certain prerogatives to test Madan Raj Poudel his popularity, calling the fresh election whenever Tel: 9841320517 he feels it appropriate. However, Nepalese politi- cal parties have rarely taken the decisions to go for Nabin Kumar Maharjan fresh mandate as the right process. Since 1990, sit- Tel: 9841291404 ting prime ministers have dissolved the House and called for fresh polls and the decisions have landed Editorial Office in the court seeking House revival. This time is no Kathmandu, Nepal exception. With the decision of President Vidhya Tel: 977-1-4430250 Devi Bhandari to dissolve the House of Representa- E-mail tives upon the recommendation of prime minister [email protected] P.O.Box: 7256 Oli, Nepal has entered into a new phase of political Website polarization, PM Oli Vs Rest. With the decision of www.spotlightnepal.com Nepali Congress and Maoist leader Prachanda-led faction of NCP to challenge the dissolution in the Kathmandu DAO Regd. No. court, it has creates an uncertainty whether to hold 148/11/063/64 the elections or not. Although there are many likes Central Region Postal Regd. and dislikes, seeking fresh mandate from people is No. 36/067/068 a democratic exercise and political parties need to accept the challenge to go to the people. Divided on US Library of Congress Catalogue the basis of ideology, more than 12 petitions have No. 91-905060, ISSN : 2091-0711 already been filed in the court against dissolution (Print), ISSN: 2091-0754 (Online) order and main political parties have also decided Printing to challenge it. Megha Offset Printing Press P. Ltd., Dhapasi, Kathmandu Tel. : 977-1-4363624 Keshab Poudel Editor NEW SPOTLIGHT Dec. 25. 2020 1 CONTENT NEPAL-INDIA ENERGY TRADE Power Cooperation 3 NEWSNOTES 4 BUSINESS BRIEF 6 OPINION COVERSTORY: POLITICS OF DISSULTION : Unresolved For Seven Decades 12 Dipak Gyawali 8 GLOBAL VIEW Abijit Sharma 11 NEA Smartening Staff 18 VIJAYA KUMAR SHAH Highest Individual Income Tax Payer 23 VIEWPOINT Madhav Dhakal , Chiranjibi Bhattarai, BhumikaThapa and Sushma Tiwari 24 NEPAL-U.S TRADE TALK : For Deeper Engagement 10 TU CONVOCATION Limited By COVID-19 27 FORUM Patrick Osewe 30 TRENDS Sushmita Aryal 31 GG Growing Local Reach 32 WORLD BANK Support For Enterprise 35 ARITICLE HDI : Nepal’s Progress 28 Hemang Dixit 36 NEW SPOTLIGHT Dec. 25. 2020 2 NEPAL-INDIA ENERGY TRADE Power Cooperation Despite agreement to develop modality to purchase Nepal’s surplus power, nothing has moved ahead to clear the bottleneck of major issues including Nepal’s energy export to Bangladesh BY A CORRESPONDENT aving taken part in Nepal-India power producers to Indian markets, Both governments have been energy trade negotiations for a development of energy banking mecha- coordinating closely with each other in Hlong time, Secretary of Energy nism, development of cross border high this sector. Consequently, progress made Dinesh Ghimire knows the art of making voltage transmission lines as well as in the last five years in this sector has deals with India on power. reviewing the progress of the SJVN been exemplary. Although the virtual meeting Limited- developed 900 MW Arun-III This includes completion of South concluded without achieving a major Hydro Electric Project in Nepal and Asia’s first cross border 400 KV trans- breakthrough on Nepal’s export of agreeing to further facilitate its expedi- mission line at Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar, surplus energy to India and Bangladesh tious implementation. agreement on funding modality for through Indian grid, secretary Ghimire Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, Energy Gorakhpur-Butwal 400 KV line for was able to convince India that they need Secretary of Nepal was assisted by rep- which the construction will commence to purchase Nepal’s surplus energy from resentatives of various Ministries and soon, and the brisk progress on the 900 next year. After a day-long discussion, Departments of Government of Nepal. MW Arun-III Hydro Electric Project. Nepal and India agreed to finalize the The Joint Working Group meeting at Both sides reaffirmed their com- Regulatory Modality to Export Nepal’s the level of Joint Secretaries was held mitment to further strengthening the Surplus Power. in preparation of this meeting. power sector cooperation between the “We concluded our bilateral trade meet- ing with an agreement to form a committee to develop modalities. This is good news for us. From next year, we will need the market for our over 1000 MW surplus energy during the season.” According to a press release is- Similarly, Sanjiv Nandan Sahai, two countries, including development sued by Indian side, Nepal and India are Power Secretary, Government of India of an integrated grid, building of more close to finalizing the regulatory modal- was accompanied by Ambassador of cross border transmission lines, as re- ity for allowing Nepali power producers India to Nepal, Vinay Mohan Kwatra quired, as well as investing in Nepal’s access to Indian power market which and a 17 member delegation drawn from hydro and solar power projects. The will provide an outlet for Nepal’s surplus various Ministries and public sector positive and wide-ranging discussions power in the coming months. undertakings of Government of India in- are expected to further support the This agreement was reached dur- cluding NHPC Limited, NTPC Limited expansion in power sector cooperation ing a meeting of Power/Energy Secre- and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. between India and Nepal. taries of Nepal and India, co-chairs of According to a press release is- Agreeing to continue further the 8th meeting of Joint Steering Com- sued by The Embassy of India Kathman- negotiations in coming meeting, Nepal- mittee (JSC) on Cooperation in Power du, the JSC is the apex bilateral mecha- India energy trade talk revived the hope sector, which was held through a video nism for enhancing and coordinating of Nepalese energy officials that India conferencing. various Government-to-Government led will manage the a way for Nepal to Both sides discussed, inter alia, initiatives in power sector. The meeting send its surplus energy to India from development of suitable rules and reviewed the progress made on bilateral coming year. guidelines for allowing access to Nepali processes and initiatives in this sector. NEW SPOTLIGHT Dec. 25. 2020 3 NEWSNOTES Nepal Ready For Role To Advance SAARC Process: Khanal who got 250 votes. Shakya had represented the greater Foreign Secretary Paudyal democratic inclusive group in the election while Khanal rep- Bharat Raj Paudyal, Foreign resented the progressive and professional group. Secretary of Nepal and Chairman of Likewise, Mukunda Prasad Poudel has been elected the SAARC Standing Committee, underscored the need to forge early the vice-chair, Rishi Ram Ghimire the secretary, Sharmila consensus for holding the stalled Shrestha the joint-secretary, Binod Kumar Karki the treasurer Nineteenth SAARC Summit and its of the new committee. preceding meetings. Amita Gautam Poudel was elected the women member Stating that regional coopera- and Ananta Raj Luintel, Tilak Bikram Pandey, Dip Narayan tion is one of the priorities of Nepal’s Shah, Bikash Bhattarai, Rajendra Prasad Shah, Miraj Shresh- foreign policy, he expressed the un- tha, Dr Ramhari Tripathi and Nirmala Bhandari the members. wavering faith of the Government of Nepal in the ideals, principles and objectives of SAARC. He also expressed Nepal’s readiness to play a constructive role to advance the SAARC process. Nepalese Peacekeepers Praised For Work In South Sudan Addressing the Inaugural Session of the fifty-eighth Session The United Nations Mission in South Sudan is plan- of the Programming Committee of the South Asian Association ning to extend the stay of Nepalese peacekeepers in Cueibet for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) that had commenced in a County in Lakes State. Their presence has been credited for the virtual mode, foreign secretary highlighted the importance of current reduction of tensions between the frequently fighting the Programming Committee’s Sessions in taking forward the Waat and Ayier communities. SAARC process. The Nepalese peacekeepers, who have spent a month Recognizing SAARC as the collective aspiration of the in the area, recently received information about both the rival people of South Asia for peace and prosperity through regional communities planning to attack each other, with both presum- cooperation, he said that the Association had taken some important steps for promoting regional integration through trade, finance, ably seeking “justice” for earlier cattle raids and killings. The transport, power, connectivity as well as people-to-people contacts. Nepalese battalion acted on the early warnings, and so far, Secretary Paudyal said, “Blessed with abundant natural and they have managed to deter further inter-communal violence.