Dhanushadham declared electricity theft-free municipality

KATHMANDU: Dhanushadham Municipality, located in Dhanusa District, has been declared an Electricity Theft-Free Municipality . The declaration was made in a joint initiative between Dhanushadham Municipality and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) .

The announcement was made during a program held on Saturday in Dhanushadham, attended by Kulman Ghising , Executive Director of NEA, and Baleshwar Mandal , Mayor of Dhanushadham Municipality. During the event, free electricity meters were distributed to economically disadvantaged households residing in the municipality.

Legal Framework Against Electricity Theft

Under Nepalese law, unauthorized use of electricity—such as bypassing meters, tampering with equipment, or damaging meters—is considered theft and is subject to strict legal action. Illegal electricity connections, often referred to as “hooking,” not only cause financial losses but also pose significant safety risks. Each year, such theft results in substantial economic and infrastructural damage.

To combat this issue, the NEA has been actively working to expand access to electricity while discouraging unauthorized usage. As part of its efforts, the authority provides free electricity meters to impoverished families who cannot afford them. These meters are equipped with single-phase energy measurement systems (5–30 Amp capacity), along with MCB boxes, and are distributed through NEA’s distribution centers across the country. No service charges are levied for meter installation.

Dhanushadham’s Initiative: A Milestone

Dhanushadham Municipality has taken a bold step by declaring itself an Electricity Theft-Free Zone , setting a precedent for other municipalities. Speaking at the event, Kulman Ghising emphasized that electricity theft is a social crime and requires collective effort to curb. He highlighted that the NEA has prioritized technical measures to prevent theft and ensure reliable electricity supply.

Ghising also noted ongoing efforts to electrify remote and challenging areas, including settlements in the hills, Madhes plains, Karnali, and far-western regions. “Through our ‘Ujyalo Abhiyan’ (Bright Campaign) , we aim to increase electricity consumption nationwide by ensuring adequate and quality supply to accessible areas while extending coverage to underserved regions,” he said. “Even if it means delaying employee salaries, we are committed to bringing electricity to every household.”

Focus on Agriculture and Industrial Growth

Highlighting the importance of electrification in agriculture, Ghising stressed the need to provide electricity to farms in the Tarai region, which serves as Nepal’s food basket. By promoting electric irrigation systems, productivity and agricultural output can be significantly increased. To support this, the NEA is collaborating with local governments to advance electrification for irrigation .

He also mentioned that approximately Rs. 40 billion is being invested in various projects to expand and strengthen transmission and distribution infrastructure in Madhes Province, where there is immense potential for agricultural and industrial growth.

Promoting Electric Stoves and Reducing Gas Dependency

Mayor Baleshwar Mandal urged the government to incentivize the adoption of electric stoves to replace gas for cooking. This shift would further promote electricity usage in households and reduce reliance on imported fuels.

During the program, a street play was performed to raise awareness about the social consequences of electricity theft, reinforcing the message that such acts are unacceptable.

Progress in Reducing Power Losses

In the current fiscal year (2081/82), the electricity distribution loss in Madhes Province stands at 14.20% . The NEA has set a target to reduce this figure to 11.9% . To achieve this, the authority has launched several campaigns, including:

Strict enforcement against theft and illegal connections.
Crackdowns on meter bypassing and hooking.
Encouraging customers to install meters.
Identifying and addressing unmetered (stock unit) consumers.
Replacing faulty or inactive meters.

Each year, the NEA assigns specific targets to its distribution centers to minimize power losses. Over the past eight years, system-wide electricity losses have been reduced from 25.78% to approximately 12.73% , showcasing significant progress.

The declaration of Dhanushadham as an Electricity Theft-Free Municipality marks a significant milestone in Nepal’s journey toward sustainable energy management. By expanding access, reducing theft, and promoting efficient electricity use, the NEA aims to empower communities, boost economic growth, and improve living standards across the nation.