Kathmandu: Finance Minister Janardan Sharma has urged everyone to use electric stoves instead of cooking gas, which is bought using US dollars.

Speaking at the inauguration program of the 33-11 KV Musikot substation constructed in Dhairenichaur, Musikot Municipality-3 of Rukum West, Minister Sharma said that the 'Ujyalo Rukum' campaign, which he started, has now turned into the 'Ujyalo Nepal' campaign and expressed his commitment not to allow a budget shortage for the electrification campaign.

Finance Minister Sharma and Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Pampha Bhusal jointly inaugurated the substation at a function in Musikot on Monday. Electricity will be supplied from the substation to Rukum West, Rukum East and some places of Jajarkot.

Speaking on the occasion, Energy Minister Bhusal said that in the past, having electricity at one’s house was a great thing, but now as there is enough electricity for all, induction or electric stoves should be used in the kitchen instead of cooking gas.

She said, "We have moved toward becoming self-sufficient in electricity as we have been able to meet the demand from our own rivers as well as export the remaining electricity to India. Also, initiatives for more electricity exports are moving forward in a positive way.”

Similarly, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Executive Director Kulman Ghising said that he had attached high priority to the full electrification of Karnali. The substation has been brought into operation by carrying electricity from the Salyan Sitalpati substation through a 33 kV 80 km long line. The substation has a 3 MVA capacity power transformer.