Four industries in Rupandehi have paid the first installment of their pending electricity charges to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). The payment clears part of the dispute over the use of dedicated and trunk lines.
The industries Panchakanya Plastic, Panchakanya Steel, Siddhartha Petplant, and Shyam Plastic paid the first installment on Monday. Following this, NEA reconnected the previously disconnected power lines, according to Executive Director Manoj Silwal.
The four companies had agreed to pay their pending dues from Magh 2072 to Baisakh 2075 in 28 installments. Panchakanya Group’s General Manager, Devendra Sahu, said power was restored to two of their industries after the first installment.
Sahu emphasized that the payment does not mean NEA approved their use of trunk lines. “This step was taken to maintain employment and keep industries running,” he said, adding that the electricity authority has yet to provide solid proof of unauthorized trunk line use.
