KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, has pledged to recover outstanding electricity tariffs related to the use of dedicated feeder and trunk lines based on the duration of their usage.
Addressing queries raised by parliamentarians in today’s House of Representatives meeting, Minister Khadka clarified that the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is responsible for providing the necessary evidence regarding these lines.
It is noteworthy that the NEA implemented dedicated feeder and trunk lines to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to select private industries, public facilities, and offices during peak load-shedding hours from 2016 to 2018.
These services were offered at a premium fee, with beneficiaries charged up to 65 percent extra.
Minister Khadka noted that the NEA had issued premium fee bills for the period from January 2016 to April 2018, following the release of the Lal Commission’s report.
He also mentioned that discussions on collecting the outstanding fees for dedicated feeder and trunk lines are currently ongoing in the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, and the government is awaiting the committee’s decision.
Regarding the 1,200 MW Budhi Gandaki hydropower project, the Minister informed the House that the project was officially registered on September 2, 2022.
He reported that Rs 42.65 billion has been distributed in compensation to those affected by the project, and both the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Environmental Assessment Report (EIA) have been approved.
Minister Khadka stated that the estimated cost of the Budhi Gandaki project is Rs 777 billion and that most technical issues have been resolved.
Additionally, he shared that diplomatic efforts are ongoing with India to negotiate an agreement on the project that aligns with Nepal’s interests and the project’s principles.
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