KATHMANDU: Industrialists have expressed strong opposition after Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) cut power lines, claiming that industries had failed to pay additional charges for using dedicated feeders and trunk lines.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the industrialists questioned why they should pay charges in the absence of clear evidence. They announced a firm decision to reject the disputed installment demands issued by NEA.
The industrialists said their stance is in support of legal governance and the stability of the national economy, and not an attempt to avoid paying legitimate fees. “We appeal to every Nepali citizen and the youth who recently protested for good governance (Gen-Z movement): this is a fight against institutional arbitrariness and unsubstantiated power, which threatens the economic future of every Nepali,” the statement said.
The statement further criticized NEA’s seven-year institutional shortcomings and alleged injustices, noting that the industrialists’ refusal to acknowledge premium service usage highlights serious flaws in NEA’s billing system and record-keeping.
“Our demand is transparent and fair. Liability should be determined only based on evidence, such as the report of the Lal Commission and TOD meter data showing that industries were operational during load-shedding,” the statement said. “How can we pay when NEA has no proof that we used the service?”
The industrialists accused NEA of bypassing legal procedures, forcing industries to apply for administrative review, and requiring a 5 percent bank guarantee of the disputed amount. They claim the NEA board arbitrarily nullified the entire process.
They also warned that NEA’s actions are self-defeating, potentially harming the economy, putting 15,000 jobs at risk, and creating a major social crisis. While NEA initially demanded over Rs 20 billion in outstanding dues, the Lal Commission later recommended collecting only Rs 6 billion, underscoring the arbitrariness of the original billing, the statement said.
The industrialists urged the government and NEA to respect principles of justice and accountability established by the younger generation and called for liability to be determined using TOD meter data while suspending immediate power disconnection threats.
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