KATHMANDU: Energy Minister Dipak Khadka has claimed there were no irregularities in the awarding of the Jagdulla Hydropower contract.

Responding to lawmakers’ concerns in the House of Representatives on Monday, he said the ministry was not involved in the process, and the Jagdulla Hydropower Company handled the contract independently.
Khadka clarified that the company followed due process and awarded the contract to the lowest bidder among the shortlisted firms.

He also stated that complaints were filed by those who failed to secure the contract and denied any ministry interference, noting the tender was conducted online.

Despite the minister’s defense, the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee has already directed to immediately halt the project contract process.