Cabinet okays response to China on Chilime-Kerung transmission line

KATHMANDU: The government has approved the “Letter of Reply” to be sent to the Government of China for the implementation of the Chilime–Kerung electricity transmission line project.

A cabinet meeting held on Monday made the decision, according to Government Spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel.

However, the content of the letter has not been revealed.

In March 2024, Nepal proposed to China to build the Jilong-Kerung-Rasuwagadhi-Chilime 220 kV transmission line during a bilateral discussion in Beijing. However, the Chinese side insisted on signing a power trade agreement before starting construction of the transmission line.

The transmission line is crucial for bilateral power trade.

Similarly, the cabinet approved the minimum support price for the paddy crop. According to Pokharel, the minimum support price has been fixed at Rs 3,600 per quintal for coarse paddy and Rs 3,860 per quintal for medium-grade paddy as proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment.

The meeting also decided to make public the report of the 2025 Commission of Inquiry on irregularities in the cooperative sector, formed under the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives and Federal Affairs.

Likewise, the cabinet approved the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation’s proposal to appoint Joint Secretary Mukesh Dangol as the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).