KATHMANDU, Sept 11: The ongoing dispute over dedicated and trunk line electricity has escalated to the attention of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, as it remains unresolved.
The matter came to the forefront following the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) issuing a warning on September 3 to industrial and commercial customers, threatening to disconnect their electricity supply if outstanding dues were not settled within 15 days. In response to this impending crisis, a delegation from the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) sought an audience with the Prime Minister.
Dedicated trunk line dispute: Go through review if arrears are...
During their meeting with Prime Minister Dahal, industrialists expressed their concerns, emphasizing that disconnecting electricity at a time when the economy is grappling with a severe recession could exacerbate the existing crisis. Presently, several sectors, including construction, are experiencing negative growth, and industrial areas are operating at only 30 percent of their capacity. Rather than finding a resolution, the NEA's decision to threaten electricity disconnection has added to the challenges.
In response to FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal's appeal for a resolution to the dedicated and trunk line electricity issue, Prime Minister Dahal reassured them, stating, "We are actively studying the matter, and we will address it through coordination. There will be no electricity cutoff."
Following a meeting of the FNCCI's new working committee, the 'Standing Committee' convened for the first time on Sunday, where industrialists from the Bhairahawa Industrial Corridor also participated. In addition to Dhakal, representatives from the cement and steel industries joined in the discussions. The meeting resulted in a consensus that the dedicated and trunk line electricity problem must be resolved, prompting the industrialists to meet with the Prime Minister in Baluwatar on Monday morning to pursue a swift resolution.
