Biratnagar. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, has said that the government is preparing to implement seasonal electricity tariff and provide subsidized electricity to consumers consuming a lot of electricity.

During a meeting with representatives of Morang Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Morang Chamber of Industries in Biratnagar, Minister Shrestha said that the government was focused on making necessary improvements in the tariff structure so that the industries and other sectors could utilize the power production that increases during the rainy season.

He said that the government was working to make the electricity tariff more practical with the objective of reducing the production cost of industries, increasing electricity consumption and utilizing the surplus electricity available in the energy system within the country.

According to Minister Shrestha, nine new substations are being added in Sunsari-Morang region. He said that with the operation of these substations, the supply of electricity to the area would become more reliable and sustainable.

Stating that the problems related to electricity faced by the industrialists and businessmen was a serious issue for the government, Minister Shrestha said that the government was sensitive on the issue of electricity tariff adjustment to ensure quality electricity to the industries and to avoid unnecessary burden on the industries due to the use of electricity.

According to him, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) should regularly inform the industrialists about the electricity capacity and infrastructure available in various sectors before setting up industries and develop a system to clarify the status of electricity availability before setting up industries ।

Minister Shrestha further said that NEA will hold regular dialogue with industrialists and industrialists on how much electricity is available, what is the status of capacity expansion and when the required infrastructures for new industries will be ready.

On the occasion, the industrialists and entrepreneurs stressed on the need of immediate improvement in the electricity supply system to increase the competitive capacity of the industrial sector.

They have also demanded that the construction of Barju and Keron substations be completed soon and electricity infrastructure expansion at Katahari industrial estate.

Industrialists have also demanded removal of demand fee to encourage manufacturing industries. They said that they were ready to invest in the country with the capacity of 5 to 50 MW of electricity if the necessary permission and infrastructure was ensured for the domestic power consumption.

Similarly, industrialists have demanded that the industries with paid-up capital of more than Rs 100 crore should be allowed to generate electricity for their own purposes.

The industrialists have also drawn attention to the issues related to the quality and safety of electrical equipment. They have demanded that mandatory pre-testing of transformers and quality testing of conductors and cables should be made effective.

Industrialists have also demanded removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) levied on electricity. They were of the view that reducing electricity tariff and other cost would reduce the cost of production and increase the competitiveness of Nepali industries.

Nanda Kishor Rathi, president of the Chamber of Industries Morang, Anbhuv Rathi, president of Morang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, industrialists and businessmen of Morang-Sunsari area were present in the meeting. Extensive discussions were held on the issues related to electricity supply, industrial infrastructure, tariff structure and ways to increase electricity consumption in the country.