KATHMANDU, Oct 21: Six major industries using dedicated and trunk electricity lines have had their power supply disconnected for failing to clear long-standing dues.
According to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Spokesperson Rajan Dhakal, electricity supply of Jagdamba Steel, Reliance Spinning Mills, Shivam Cement, Ghorahi Cement, Arghakhanchi Cement and Triveni Spinning Mills was cut off from this morning.
The dispute over unpaid electricity dues for dedicated and trunk lines has remained unresolved since 2075 BS. The NEA first initiated a study into the matter on 31 Baisakh 2075 BS, under the coordination of then-director Bhakta Bahadur Pun, and has since been attempting to recover the arrears.
Maruti Cement, United Cement and Jagadamba Cement found selling...
Industrialists and business groups, however, have argued that they should not be required to pay the tariff, claiming they did not actually use the dedicated or trunk lines. The issue has gone through multiple rounds of discussion and legal proceedings, including in the courts, the Public Accounts Committee of the Federal Parliament and the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority.
Most recently, the NEA issued a public notice on Asoj 12, urging the concerned industries to clear their arrears within 21 days. Although the authority had provided the option to pay in installments, the dues were not settled within the deadline. Consequently, the NEA disconnected the lines in line with the Electricity Tariff Collection Regulations.
Earlier, notices were published on Asoj 26 and Asoj 30, 2082 BS, granting industries with arrears dating from Magh 2072 BS to Baisakh 2075 BS the opportunity to request an administrative review by mid-Jestha 2082 BS. However, the NEA’s steering committee, meeting on Asoj 10, decided to cancel all activities related to that review process.
With inputs from RSS
