Kathmandu. The companies operating 149 hydropower projects have been found to have defaulted on Rs 185 million in royalty dues. According to the latest report of the Office of the Auditor General, Rs 184.64 million is yet to be recovered from the projects as of March 17, 2082.

According to the report, Clause 11 of the Electricity Act, 2049 BS has a provision that the licensed company has to pay Rs 100 annually for 15 years of the operation of hydropower generation and 2 percent royalty per unit (kilowatt hour).

After the expiry of the period, the company has to pay Rs 1,000 annually as royalty and 10 percent of the average selling price per unit.

According to the details of the Department of Electricity Development, 149 projects have outstanding dues as of March 19, 2002.