Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: As many as 25 new industries that used to consume electricity from dedicated and trunk line structures during load-shedding in the past have paid the first tranche of premium dues.

As many as 10 industries that had started paying dues earlier but did not continue with the installments have continued with the installments. Similarly, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has collected Rs 238.72 million from 35 industries.

The total dues of 35 industries stood at Rs 5.94 billion. Now, Rs 5.70 billion is yet to be recovered. This arrears are the premium arrears for consuming electricity from dedicated and trunk lines from January 2015 to April 2075.

On the occasion, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development Kul Man Ghising thanked industrialists for clearing their dues. Minister Ghising expressed the belief that the government would give continuity to the payment of arrears from industrialists.

“The way is open for the industries to go to the Electricity Regulatory Commission and court and we are confident that the industrialists will comply with the demand once they start paying installments,” he said, adding, “We are always ready to address the legitimate demands of industrialists.” ’

NEA had issued a public notice in September giving 21 days to clear the arrears. The power supply was cut in two phases on October 4 and October 7 as the dues could not be paid during that period.