Nepal, March 2 -- Nepal's major political parties have projected the energy sector as the backbone of future economic prosperity, unveiling ambitious plans ranging from large-scale hydropower expansion to cross-border electricity trade and digital infrastructure powered by surplus energy.

In its manifesto, the Nepali Congress has pledged to reserve a 15 percent share quota in national pride projects and large hydropower schemes for Nepalis working abroad, allowing them to become direct stakeholders in national development.

The party has also proposed concessional loans for low-income families among project-affected local residents to enable them to purchase the 10 percent priority shares allocated in hydropower companies. These loans wo...