Hulas Steel Industries, operating in Simara, Bara, has begun paying its outstanding premium electricity charges to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for electricity consumed via dedicated and trunk lines.

The industry has received approval from the NEA to pay the total outstanding amount of NPR 141.2 million (Rs 14 crore 12 lakh), accumulated between Magh 2072 and Baisakh 2075 (approx. early 2016 to mid-2018), in 28 monthly installments of NPR 504,300 each. NEA Executive Director Manoj Silwal informed that the first installment was paid on Friday.

Similarly, Ashok Steel, another industry in Simara with an outstanding amount of NPR 175.8 million (Rs 17 crore 58 lakh), has also paid its first installment. Ashok Steel opted for the 28-installment plan and has paid NPR 630,000.

Hama Iron and Steel Industries, also based in Simara, has paid NPR 2.09 million as the first installment of its total outstanding amount of NPR 58.5 million (Rs 5 crore 85 lakh) for electricity consumed via the dedicated trunk line.

Previously, Laxmi Steel in Parasi, which had begun repaying its dues but halted payments after Baisakh (April/May), has now paid NPR 8.498 million (Rs 84 lakh 98 thousand) as an installment.

Similarly, Sarbottam Cement, which had also paused its installment payments after initially starting, has paid NPR 4 million (Rs 40 lakh).