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The National Association of Community Electricity Users Nepal has submitted a letter to Prime Minister Balen Shah, drawing attention to the need for effective implementation of the community electrification program and related policy reforms.

The association expressed appreciation for the Prime Minister’s “100 Good Governance Roadmap” campaign, voicing confidence that it would help make the state more people-friendly.

Launched in 2003, the program has expanded to around 600,000 households through 302 institutions across 55 districts.

Key demands and recommendations outlined in the letter include:

- Policy and legal clarity: Establish a clear legal framework to facilitate service delivery through decentralized systems.

- Regulatory amendments: Revise existing regulations in line with current needs, with participation from the association.

- Fair tariff structure: Develop a transparent tariff system that is affordable for consumers while ensuring sustainability of community institutions.

- Recognition of community investment: Formally capitalize and recognize over Rs2 billion invested by communities in electricity infrastructure to ensure institutional ownership.

- Employment and management: Within the limits of the Public Procurement Act, increase local participation in a sector that has generated around 3,000 direct and over 3,500 indirect jobs.

According to association chair Narayan Gyawali, community institutions that continued providing services even during the conflict period deserve proper recognition.

The association believes that if these reforms are implemented, around 15% of the rural population will gain access to more reliable and affordable electricity services.

Urjasanchar