KATHMANDU, Nov 12: The government has been demanding repeated explanations from Kulman Ghising, the managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). This action is a part of an ongoing effort to remove him from his position.
On October 29, the Ministry of Energy, under the leadership of Energy Minister Deepak Khadka, dispatched a letter to Ghising seeking clarification on six points related to a decision made at the secretary level. This was in addition to a previous 15-point clarification sought from Ghising on October 9.
In the letter, which was partially redacted citing a secretary-level decision, the ministry questioned why Ghising had not responded promptly to earlier requests for clarification.
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Ghising had explained that delays in his responses were due to his need to obtain documents from the authority's provincial offices. Dashain celebrations were the cause of this delay. In response, Minister Khadka granted Ghising an additional 15 days to provide the necessary clarification.
Furthermore, the ministry has asked Ghising to elucidate the steps taken in the past three months to resolve the tariff dispute concerning dedicated and trunk lines.
This request follows a decision by the NEA's Board of Directors, chaired by Minister Khadka on July 21, which mandated that Ghising instruct industries to clear their arrears. Despite this, Ghising had ordered the disconnection of electricity supply to 34 industries on October 24 after they failed to pay their dues, citing the lack of proof for the need to pay. Minister Khadka had opposed Ghising’s decision to disconnect power supply to industries.
According to sources, Minister Khadka was compelled to seek further clarification from Ghising because the latter went ahead with the decision to disconnect power supply despite the minister’s opposition. Minister Khadka later commented that some industrialists refused to settle the tariff dues.
In addition, Minister Khadka has sought an explanation as to why the Chilime-Trishuli 220 kV transmission line, which was promised to be functional during an inspection visit in the last week of September, has not yet been brought into operation. Ghising had assured the minister that the transmission line would be operational within 10 days, but due to delays in work, the government was unable to display it as part of its 100-day achievements. This transmission line has been operational since November 4.
