KATHMANDU: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is preparing to issue a final warning to industries that have failed to settle their outstanding bills for dedicated feeder and trunk line services. If the dues are not paid by the stipulated deadline, the state-owned power utility has threatened to cut off electricity supplies to the defaulters.
A senior NEA official confirmed that the final notice will be sent in the first week of October, giving the industries one last opportunity to clear their arrears.
Earlier, NEA had reconnected the power lines of six industries under the condition that they would pay their dues within three months. However, despite the reconnection, the industries have not fulfilled their payment obligations. NEA had initially demanded Rs 6.6 billion in unpaid tariffs, along with a 25 percent penalty, and set a 15-day deadline on June 10 for the industries to comply. When payments were not made, NEA disconnected their power supply in the second week of July.
Following the power disconnection, the affected industries approached Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who criticized NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising for the decision. On July 19, Oli intervened, instructing NEA to restore power to the industries.
NEA resumed electricity supply on July 23, with the condition that the dues must be cleared within three months. With the deadline approaching, NEA is now preparing to issue a final reminder. Should the industries fail to comply, the NEA has warned that power will be cut off once again.