In response to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA)'s recent action of cutting off power to industries with outstanding dues, 12 industries have started paying their arrears in installments. The NEA cut off the power supply to 34 industries on the night of October 24 for failing to pay arrears for dedicated and trunk line services.

NEA Spokesperson Chandan Kumar Ghosh told Republica that these industries, including Sarbottam Cement and Rolpa Cement, which have large arrears, have initiated payments to settle their dues to the NEA. He added that the current issue between the industrialists and the NEA should not be seen as a conflict.

“The authority is simply carrying out its responsibility as per the decision made by the NEA Board of Directors (BoD) three months ago,” Ghosh told Republica, “It would be wrong to interpret the action as the NEA challenging the government.” He explained that if the BoD had not set the three-month deadline for the payment of arrears, the NEA would not have been forced to cut the power supply to the 34 industries.

Ghosh also said that the seven industries previously exempted from paying arrears by a Supreme Court decision should face the same consequences as the other 34 industries. “The only issue we are concerned about is that the seven industries have been exempted from disconnection from the national power grid,” he said. “The NEA believes that all industries with arrears should receive the same treatment.” He added that the NEA is exploring the option of appealing against the court’s order.

In addition to Sarbottam Cement, which owes Rs 110 million, and Rolpa Cement, which owes Rs 9.9 million, Samrat Cement, with Rs 37.77 million in outstanding dues, has also begun payment to the government. Other industries with outstanding dues include Shubhashree Agni Cement (Rs 9.881 million), GB Textiles (Rs 4.9 million), Narayan Rubber Industries (Rs 1 million), Binayak Ispat Pvt Ltd (Rs 752,000), Nawa Nepal Plastic Industries (Rs 205,000), Subhalaxmi Polymers (Rs 378,000), National Rubber Industries (Rs 59,000), and AG Health Industries (Rs 76,000).