Kathmandu. The deadline given by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to pay the outstanding electricity tariff to consumers who have taken electricity supply from dedicated feeders and truck lines is expiring today.

At the time of filing this report, 9 different industries have paid their dues. In the meantime, there was a lot of controversy over the payment of dues. The controversy was rife between the government and the private sector. There was also a difference of opinion among the industrialists on whether or not to pay the dues immediately after the government recovers the dues at any cost, and on what conditions the payment should be made.

Now, most of the industrialists are in the mood to pay a single installment and then discuss with the government for further discussions. As of Friday, 9 different industries have paid their dues. According to sources, most of the industrialists are unanimous that the government should pay installments, saying there is a risk of the government interfering with the policy of interfering as some people will pay and some will not pay. Some are in favor of not paying the arrears immediately as the bills of the NEA are fake.

In the meantime, the industrialists wanted to meet the Prime Minister and inform him about the dues. Prime Minister Sushila Karki said that the entire responsibility of coordinating the project lies with Energy Minister Kulman Ghising.

Although the industrialists were somewhat reluctant to pay the dues, they tried to meet the Prime Minister with three options. The entrepreneurs have been demanding an extension of the deadline mentioned in the notice dated September 26, removal of 50 percent compensation and increase of 28 installments. Out of the three demands of the businessmen, the government has indicated to increase the installment of 28 months. There are also conditions for that.

The three demands put forth by the industrialists were to extend the deadline and not to take 25 percent compensation and to extend the 28-month installment. The government is ready to extend the deadline if the industrialists commit to pay the remaining amount after paying the first installment. The rest of the demands will not be met. Industrialists who have taken power supply from the dispute of dedicated feeder and truck line collectively drew the attention of Prime Minister Sushila Karki.

The industrialists said that in the present situation, industries and businesses could not be operated after being humiliated by the state bodies. “We have made this collective request that the honorable Prime Minister of the government of good governance should guarantee the environment to live with dignity and carry out industry and business as per the constitution. “In the status quo, industries and businesses cannot be operated by being humiliated by the state bodies,” the letter reads.

Industrialists have claimed that they have never agreed with the government to waive the tariff. They have said that they are ready to pay whatever amount is required if they provide proof that electricity has been provided for the operation of the industry. “We are ready to pay the liability of Rs 4, 6, 8, 10, 20 and 40 billion by providing proof that electricity has been provided to us for the operation of the industry,” reads the memorandum.

Similarly, Hama Iron and Steel, Laxmi Steel and Sarbottam Cement have cleared their dues. Hama Iron and Steel Industries of Simara has paid Rs 20.90 lakh as the first installment out of the total arrears of Rs 5.85 crore for the dedicated trunk line.

Laxmi Steel has paid Rs 84.98 lakh as installment. According to NEA, Sarbottam Cement has paid Rs 40 lakh. Hulas Steel Industry and Ashok Steel Industry of Simara of Bara have paid the first tranche amount.

Hulas Steel Industries Pvt. Ltd. has started paying dues for consuming electricity from dedicated trunk line from January 2072 to April 2075. The total outstanding amount of the industry stands at Rs 14.12 crore. The authority has approved to pay the amount in 28 installments. Hulas has paid Rs 50.43 lakh as the first installment. This is the first time the industry has paid its dues.

Similarly, Ashok Steel has started paying Rs 17.58 crore in installments. According to the NRA, Ashok has paid Rs 6.3 million as the first installment of the facility of 28 installments. Earlier, Samrat Cement, Rolpa Cement and Nawa Nepal Plastic Industries had paid their dues. Samrat Summons has paid Rs 4 million 47,000 in three installments at one time and has paid the installment till June.

Rolpa Cement has paid Rs 17.70 lakh in five installments at a time. Similarly, Nawa Nepal Plastic Industries has paid Rs 123,000 each in 12 installments. NEA has issued a notice on September 28 stating that if the dues are not paid within 21 days, the power supply will be disconnected. According to the NEA, the industrialists have to pay the arrears of dedicated and trunk line till date. The NEA is preparing to cut the power supply to the industries if the dues are not paid.