March 14: The government has been campaigning for a long time to increase the use of electric stoves. However, it has been found that a very small amount of induction stoves were sold by the Food Management and Trade Company Limited, which has been authorized by the government to sell and distribute induction stoves.

According to the state-owned company's Bagmati regional office, 4,500 induction stoves have been sold so far. Officials said that the company is currently selling induction stoves only in Bagmati Province.

The government of Nepal started a campaign to increase the use of electric stoves immediately after the 2072 earthquake. At that time, the use of induction stoves was emphasized due to heavy reliance on LP gas, undeclared blockades by neighbouring India, large amount of money lost in cylinder import, and the high price of gas cylinders hitting the consumers.

The government expects the use of electric stoves will help find market for domestically produced electricity and also save the foreign currency reserves to the relief of the consumers.

However, experts say that the expected target has not been achieved as only a small number of electric stoves have been used even after a long time since the government started the campaign.

Energy expert Jagannath Shrestha said that the will power to increase the use of induction stoves in the state system is weak. The government has not been able to use induction stoves inside Singha Durbar.

He said that there is a widespread lack of information and knowledge about induction stoves. He said that the canteen operators inside the Singha Darbar do not even know that there are electric stoves that can cook large quantities of food.

Narayan Gyawali, president of the Community Electricity Consumer Federation, shared that they have been working to inform the general public and explain the benefits through the Electric Stove National Campaign. According to him, the government launched a program to provide electric stoves to the poor, disadvantaged, and students from remote areas studying in Kathmandu. 

However, the government did not show seriousness in implementation, shares Gyawali.

“As there was no system of reward and punishment for the employees, they became inactive. This is the reason why induction stoves have not been widely used. Even though the electricity supply is not regular, the general public is not in a position to confidently buy electric stoves,” said Gyawali.

Private sector businessmen dealing in electric stoves said that although electric stoves are beneficial for consumers financially, they are not sold much due to a lack of awareness. 

Rajendra Thapa, who deals in household electrical appliances in Nayabazar of Kathmandu, said that even though it is good from the point of view of safety, the information about the usage methods and benefits has not reached the general consumers.

Although induction stoves are within the reach of only a small percentage of common consumers, government officials seem to be satisfied. 

Gyanu Thapa, head of Bagmati Regional Office of the Food Management and Trading Company Limited, said that selling all the induction stoves purchased is an achievement.

“Sales are going well. So far, no complaints have been received. The situation is satisfactory,” she said.

Thapa, the head of the office, argued that the awareness of induction stoves among consumers is increasing, and the perception is positive, so the user will gradually increase.