KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation has sent a letter to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) directing it to collect outstanding premiums for trunk and dedicated lines based on “Time of the Day” (TOD) meters.
The ministry announced this action during a press conference on Monday, emphasizing that the Cabinet’s decision must be implemented.
According to ministry spokesperson Chiranjeevi Chataut, the letter mandates NEA to collect all dues and reconnect power lines to industries within 15 days.
“In line with the Cabinet’s decision, the ministry has also made the Lal Commission’s report public. We have directed NEA to collect all outstanding dues and reconnect lines within the next 15 days,” Chataut stated.
Despite the Cabinet’s decision to resolve the tariff dispute, power lines had not been reconnected by Monday evening. However, with the official letter now issued, NEA is expected to implement the order.
“With the written letter from the ministry, the path has now been cleared for NEA to collect the dues and reconnect lines,” Chataut said.
The ministry officials anticipate that the lines may be restored by Monday night or Tuesday, with one official adding, “We expect the decision to be implemented within 24 hours, and power should be restored to all industries by Monday evening or Tuesday at the latest.”
