KATHMANDU

The Natural Resources Committee of the Legislative parliament doubting irregularities in the process of providing license to foreign company for digging oil has demanded discussion on it in the parliament. The meeting of the committee today decided to discuss the issue in the parliament claiming that the license was secretly handed over to the firm in 2004.

The government in 2004 had provided license to Kern Energy for digging oil in various parts of the country. The company is presently studying oil resources in Dhangadi, Karnali, Lumbini, Birgunj. The lawmakers have further claimed that the agreement between the government and the company has overlooked the environmental concerns.

The committee has summoned Director of Mines Department and the officials of the company and project for investigation on August 3. The meeting also provided permission to the forest ministry for acquiring woods necessary for cremation. Earlier following the news of massive deforestation around the nation, the committee had stopped even the supply of timber for cremation.