NEA takes action against defaulters by disconnecting over 12,000 lines in four days

Published On: November 3, 2023 10:44 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Nov 3: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has taken stringent action against defaulters for their failure to pay electricity tariffs.

The authority has started cutting the lines of customers who have not paid the electricity tariff. NEA disconnected the lines of more than 12,000 customers in four days. The electricity supply to the Nagarjun Palace of former King Gyanenandra Shah has also been cut.

Manoj Silwal, head of the distribution and customer service directorate of the authority, said that they started cutting the lines after customers refused to pay the bill even after repeated requests. According to him, the lines of 12,016 customers have been cut from October 29 to November 2. The customers owe Rs 292.5 million to the authority.

According to Silwal, the lines were disconnected after the customers failed to pay the due even after the 60-day deadline. "We have now started cutting the power supply to collect the dues," he said, "We will disconnect more lines from Sunday. Anyone who refuses to pay the bill will be deprived of the service.”

The NEA’s Nepalgunj-based Lumbini Regional Office has cut the lines of 2,526 customers who owe Rs 23.5 million. Lumbini's Butwal office has disconnected 1,299 lines. In terms of number of customers, Lumbini has cut the maximum number of lines.

Karnali Regional Office, Surkhet has disconnected the lines of 172 customers. Those customers have to pay Rs 5.423 million in dues. In terms of number of customers, the least number of lines has been cut in Karnali. It is an under-electrified province.

Bagmati Regional Office, Kathmandu has cut the lines of 1,191 customers. Those customers have to pay Rs 6.74 million. Hetauda-based regional office of NEA’s Bagmati Province has cut the lines of 913 customers. They have to pay arrears of Rs 35.9 million. Bagmati is the province with the highest arrears.

The authority is yet to collect Rs 11 billion dues from customers across the country. The authority has given 60 days time to all the customers who have not paid the tariff for the last time.