KATHMANDU: Prime Minister (PM) KP Oli has vocally supported industrialists amidst the ongoing dispute over ‘dedicated’ and ‘trunk line’ tariffs between the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and the industrial sector.
During a parliamentary vote of confidence on Sunday, Prime Minister Oli addressed the long-standing tariff disagreement between the NEA and industries.
He asserted, “Industrialists must pay for electricity they have used, not for electricity they haven’t. Incorrect calculations cannot be justified under the guise of accounting.”
Expressing frustration, Prime Minister Oli criticized the NEA for implementing load-shedding despite prior agreements to provide uninterrupted electricity around the clock.
“The conflict has persisted for years,” Prime Minister Oli explained, “since the formation of the high-level Lal Commission to resolve the issue, extensive examinations have been conducted.”
He continued, “I have held discussions with the NEA Executive Director, Chief Secretary, Secretaries, and industrialists. Upon reviewing the matter, it became evident that the NEA’s calculations were erroneous. There is a need for reevaluation.”
Prime Minister Oli highlighted disparities among affected industries, “Some have had their connections severed, while others remain unaffected. Why is this discrepancy?”
It should be noted that Prime Minister Oli had last week directed the NEA’s Executive Director, Kulman Ghisingh, to promptly restore power to six industries affected by the dispute.
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