KATHMANDU: Nearly Rs 425 million in long-pending rent arrears from industrial estates have been recovered within just two weeks following a strict directive from Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Gauri Kumari Yadav.
Minister Yadav had instructed the Industrial Districts Management Limited (IDML) to immediately collect outstanding dues from industries and offices that had been delaying rent payments for years. Acting on the directive, the authority has so far collected Rs 425.43 million in arrears, according to the company.
According to IDML General Manager Padam Oli, some industries had not paid rent since as far back as 1988, resulting in long-standing dues. He said the authority recently published a public notice asking around 635 industries and offices to clear their arrears, after which many began settling their payments.
Following the minister’s order, electricity lines of non-compliant industries were also disconnected. Initially, power supply to more than 200 industries was cut off, after which many rushed to clear their dues and had their connections restored.
Currently, electricity lines of 45 companies that still have outstanding payments remain disconnected. The authority has stated that power supply will not be restored until full clearance of dues is made, in line with the minister’s directive.
Among the defaulters, Continental Components and Services Pvt. Ltd. owes around Rs 36.9 million, while another company under the same management, Continental Services Pvt. Ltd., has dues of around Rs 10 million.
IDML said preparations are underway to disconnect electricity to these companies as well.
General Manager Oli stated that despite various pressures and delays in payment, the firm stance and clear instructions from Minister Yadav made it possible to recover a significant portion of the long-pending arrears within a short period.
Comment