Why did you suspend the licensing procedure?
Well there was a need to evaluate the licenses and the procedures. Therefore, the procedure has been suspended for a short time.


When the load shedding is worsening, how can you justify suspending the procedures, which the developers say could hurt their investment in this sector?
There have been gross misrepresentations. We just want to evaluate the procedures to improve them. Besides, we have not suspended providing generating license. Only the survey licenses are being reviewed and, that, too, for a short time. No need to make mountains out of a molehill. Licenses for 13000 MW worth projects have been issued. Nobody is talking about suspending them. This hue and cry is being generated from certain quarters with ill intention.


Is it true that you made the decision in order to humiliate the Secretary, who otherwise is authorized to decide on licensing procedures?
That is nonsense. It has nothing to do with the differences with Secretary. In any case, a minister can always decide to evaluate the processes.


But in the name of evaluation, why have to shut down the whole process?
Sometimes, you need to suspend the entire process for evaluation. Anyway, evaluation process has already begun and it will take only a few days.


But your quarrel with the minister is, indeed, hurting the normal functioning of the Ministry, isn’t it?
It has nothing to do with the differences. Anyway, those who have responsibilities must fulfill them. No one can tolerate incompetence.(Excerpts of the interview with Dr. Mahat by Sanjaya Dhakal for BBC Nepali Service)