Head. KATHMANDU: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has crossed Rs 440 million due at its Lahan distribution center.

According to the data of the fiscal year 2082/83, the outstanding arrears are Rs 44,92,57,184.

The office has so far been able to collect Rs 1,732,312 after launching a campaign to disconnect power lines to recover dues. According to Awadhesh Kumar Gupta, chief of the distribution centre, the dues are being paid by the customers, including industries, government offices and agricultural irrigation meters.

“Lahan municipality alone is yet to pay Rs 13,987,622 under the agricultural irrigation meter”, said Mayor Gupta. ”

According to NEA, consumers have to pay electricity bills within 60 days, but on an average nine months, the Lahan distribution center has not been able to recover the arrears even for nine months. “We have no other option but to cut the queue to recover the remaining amount,” Gupta said.

The situation of power leakage is also increasing. The leakage rate in the FY 2080/81 was 31.65 percent which has increased to 38.10 percent in the FY 2081/82. According to him, this rate has increased to 44.46 per cent by mid-July of the current fiscal year. In the meantime, the NEA took action against 703 consumers and collected Rs 3,154,225 as leakage tariff, according to the office.

There are three distribution centers in Siraha – Lahan, Mirchaiya and district headquarters. Lahan, Sukhipur, Dhangadhimai municipalities and Bariyarpatti, Bishnupur, Aurahi, Laxmipur Patari, Nawarajpur and Bhagwanpur rural municipalities are under Lahan distribution center.