PAC & west seti

August 16, 2009

Dr Chiran S Thapa
Bhagabatibahal, Naxal

Dear Chiranjee

I have further contemplated as to what you said about Mahakali treaty and Dr Lohani and felt like making following comment.

First of all you are not merely a well educated person but a learned one at that. Therefore, I would think that you should be able to draw your own inferences after reading the relevant documents, if you don’t feel like accepting my statements at its face value. More so because the treaty in question, attached herewith, is just 3-page long, instead of waiting for Dr Lohani to admit he made a mistake in signing it.

Interestingly Dr Dwarika Nath Dhungel (who was secretary of water resources ministry at the time of signing the treaty) has admitted on record a couple of times that Mahakali treaty was a mistake and he is prepared to be hung publicly along with others. Just last Thursday, he repeated the same statement on ABC TV when we were having a panel, live, discussion on Pancheshwar. The other participant was Ajaya Dixit.

This morning I had an opportunity to make a presentation on west seti (also on multipurpose Melamchi) to the Public Accounts Committee of the parliament. It was made possible due to the initiative of Dr Lohani. Commenting on my paper Dr Lohani emphasized the importance of having to be careful with regard to the principle of “prior existing consumptive use of water” and went on to add that he too has been party to an error without specifying a treaty or project.

With best regards,

Sincerely,

Ratna Sansar Shrestha,

From: Ratna Sansar Shrestha [mailto:rsansar@mos.com.np]
Sent: Friday, August 14, 2009 10:53
To: Chiran S ThapaSubject:
Re: PAC & west seti

Dear Chiranjee

Good to hear from you.

I have had an e-conversation on Mahakali treaty with Dr Lohani. After I pointed out the flaws in the treaty (which I have detailed in one of my earlier writings) he hasn't reverted back to me.

With best regards,


Sincerely,

Ratna Sansar Shrestha, fca
Senior Water Resource Analyst

http:www.ratnasansar.blogspot.com/

-----Original Message-----

From: C.S. Thapa [mailto:cst21@hermes.cam.ac.uk] On Behalf Of C.S. Thapa
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2009 16:45
To: Ratna Sansar Shrestha
Subject: Re: PAC & west seti

Dear Ratna Sansarji,

Thank you for sending the article published in Gorkhapatra. It is
consistent with your views on federalism being an obstacle to the optimal
use of Nepal's water resources. Much as my heart agrees with your analysis,
it may be too late and we may have to settle for the best deal, or the
least bad - maximizing benefits, assuming there are a few, and minimizing
losses over time.

On the Mahakali Treaty, I have to get Dr Prakash Lohani's views. He is
prepsred to defend it!

best,

Chiran


On Aug 13 2009, Ratna Sansar Shrestha wrote:

>Dear Colleague
>
>Gorkhapatra has published the attached article in today's edition. I am
>forwarding it to you in case you have yet to read it.
>
>Please do feel free to forward it those who you think should read this
>article or would like to read it. Thanks.
>
>
>
>With best regards,
>
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Ratna Sansar Shrestha,