KATHMANDU, July 22: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has ignored a directive of the Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) to reconnect the power supply of six industries whose power supply was disconnected over the dedicated feeders and trunk line dispute. 

In the NEA Managing Committee meeting held on Monday, Executive Director Kulman Ghising refused to implement the directive issued by the ERC. 

Based on the decision made by the Cabinet, Ghising had argued that despite the letter from the ERC, the lines cannot be connected at present. Ghising raised questions about whether this matter falls under the jurisdiction of the ERC.

The NEA had cut off the lines of six industries citing non-payment of the bills for receiving electricity through dedicated and trunk Lines. Since 2018, there has been an ongoing dispute between the NEA and the industries regarding the payment for electricity distributed through dedicated feeders and trunk lines. This dispute has led to the disconnection of power supply to various industries.