The Electricity Regulatory Commission has instructed the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to refrain from disconnecting power to industries that have failed to clear the dues for using dedicated feeders and trunk lines. This directive follows the government’s decision to address pending electricity dues without disrupting industrial operations.
In its letter, the commission emphasized that disconnecting power lines would negatively impact government revenue. A cabinet meeting on November 10 had previously instructed the NEA to recalculate the arrears using the Time of Day (TOD) meter system, collect dues within 15 days, and reconnect electricity from the defaulting industries. Acting on these directives, the NEA restored power to 28 industries with unpaid dues on the night of November 13.
As the 15-day deadline for payment ends today (Wednesday), none of the industrialists have cleared their dues. NEA's Managing Director, Kulman Ghising, indicated that preparations are underway to disconnect power to the defaulting industries again. However, Energy Minister Deepak Khadka intervened, urging the Regulatory Commission to prevent disconnections.
"We have received the letter from the commission, but any decision on how to proceed will be made only after the board of directors’ meeting," Ghising told New Business Age .
Upon pressure from the minister, the commission issued a detailed four-point directive on Tuesday. The letter instructed the NEA to verify arrears based on TOD meters, establish necessary facts, and await the findings of a technical committee currently investigating the disputed charges.
The commission’s letter, citing Section 37 of the Electricity Regulation Commission Act, 2074, states that no power lines should be cut until the government finalizes its report and issues a decision.
