Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, announced that load shedding (scheduled power cuts) will now affect the general public during evening hours. This decision comes as a result of India's recent move to restrict electricity supply to Nepal, providing power only during solar hours (from morning to evening) since March 16.

With electricity supply falling short of demand, load shedding has already begun in industrial sectors. Minister Khadka, speaking during a National Assembly meeting on Wednesday, confirmed that households will now also face power cuts. Previously, the NEA had avoided imposing load shedding on the general public, even during winter months when India reduced its electricity supply.

Khadka, who has had a strained relationship with NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising, criticized Ghising for taking sole credit for ending load shedding in Nepal. He argued that Ghising played no role in eliminating power cuts and emphasized that India and the private sector deserve recognition for meeting Nepal's energy needs.

"Load shedding existed yesterday, and it continues today," Khadka stated. He highlighted that while the NEA currently generates only 700 megawatts of electricity, the private sector contributes 2,800 megawatts. Additionally, Nepal imports 825 megawatts from India, but the total supply remains insufficient. "Now, even households will face load shedding in the evenings," he added.

Khadka reiterated his stance that India and the private sector should be thanked for addressing Nepal's energy challenges, rather than attributing success to any single individual. "Kulman Ghising is not the hero. Let us thank India and the private sector for fulfilling our needs," he concluded.