Power supply to defaulter industries cut off

KATHMANDU, Dec 23: Power supply to at least some large-scale industries, which have failed to pay electricity tariff for using dedicated and trunk lines for a long time, has been cut off.

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) took the measure after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ordered the NEA to plug off the power lines and recover the tariff from them on Thursday.

The NEA had been facing criticisms for cutting off power supply of household consumers but exempting the large-scale industries. According to the NEA, power supply to Jagdamba Steel, Reliance Spinning Mills, Ghorahi Cement and Arghakhanchi Cement industries have been cut off.

NEA sources say that Jagdamba Steel alone owes tariffs worth Rs. 4.14 billion. Similarly, Reliance owes Rs 1.09 billion. Similarly, Ghorahi Cement has to pay Rs 1.36 billion and Arghakhanchi Cement owes Rs. 1.3 billion to the NEA.

Despite repeated calls these industries had not paid their dues in the form of power tariff to the NEA. The latest report of the Auditor General too instructs the NEA to collect the arrears. Furthermore, various committees of the federal parliament had also directed to raise the tariff immediately.

(RSS)