Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Gauri Kumari Yadav, has cleared the rent arrears of around Rs 425 million within two weeks.

On the occasion, Minister Yadav directed the Industrial Area Management Limited to immediately recover money from the industries and offices that have been reluctant to pay rent for a long time. The company has so far collected Rs 42,54,38,000 in arrears following the directive.

According to Padam Oli, general manager of Industrial Area Management Limited, some industries had not paid rent since 2045 BS. A few days ago, a public notice was issued to about 635 industries and offices to pay rent. Most of them have paid their dues.

Power to the rest of the industry was cut off

The company has taken strict action after Minister Yadav directed the industries not to pay the rent within the stipulated time to cut off the power lines. Initially, more than 200 Ughog lines were cut. The queue has been connected after paying the rent to these industries. According to Oli, the power supply of 45 companies that are yet to pay the rent has been disconnected. Minister Yadav has given clear instructions to disconnect the line until the dues of the industries are fully cleared.

Among the industries that have outstanding dues, Continental Components and Services Pvt Ltd have yet to collect Rs 3.69 crore in rent while Continental Services Pvt Ltd, another company of the same operator, is yet to collect Rs 10 million. Currently, the process of disconnecting the power lines of both the industries has been initiated. General Manager Oli said that the dues have been cleared in a short span of time due to clear instructions from Minister Gauri Kumari Yadav.