KATHMANDU: The government is set to provide immediate relief on electricity services to families and businesses affected by floods in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading.
Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha said electricity service concessions were being introduced to provide relief to affected citizens during the disaster. According to the minister’s secretariat, necessary decisions regarding the relief measures are being advanced.
Minister Shrestha said arrangements were being made to provide relief to affected families under the spirit of “support for our neighbours,” including through electricity revenue collected from other customers.
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Board of Directors has decided not to charge the minimum electricity tariff from Bhotekoshi flood-affected customers starting from the month of Bhadra.
The NEA will also remove from its records electricity meters installed in houses, businesses and industries that were damaged by the floods.
According to the minister’s secretariat, affected customers whose meters have been removed from the records will be provided with new meters free of charge if they apply to resume electricity services.
The NEA management has also been instructed to study the possibility of providing additional concessions or discounts on electricity tariffs to customers in flood-affected areas.
Electricity services are being restored in 15 local government areas affected by the floods. The NEA has been instructed to assess the level of additional concession or discount that can be provided to affected customers and submit a proposal.
The NEA is preparing to finalise the additional concessions and discounts on electricity tariffs for flood-affected customers within this week based on the study.
The ministry said relief and facilitation measures were being introduced to reduce the immediate financial burden related to electricity services for people whose homes, industries, businesses and other structures were damaged by the floods.
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