March 8: Private sector stakeholders have requested Nepal Electricity Authority not to increase the electricity tariff.

Koshi Province chapter of the Confederation of Nepalese Industry and Chamber of Industries Morang issued separate statements and requested the NEA not to increase the electricity tariff. They have also requested the NEA to improve the electricity distribution and supply system.

The statements signed by the president of the chamber Rakesh Surana and the president of the provincial chapter of CNI Pawan Sharda mention that the private sector’s attention has been drawn to the issue of increasing the electricity tariff.

The private sector stakeholders argued that the current electricity tariff per unit is higher than that of other countries and should not be increased.

Stating that the production cost of the industry will be affected, the organizations has suggested that consumers will have to bear the brunt if the NEA opts to raise the electricity tariff.

Stating that the industries are facing problems such as unannounced power cuts, tripping, and low-voltage for 10 hours a day, the organisations requested the Nepal Electricity Authority to provide uninterrupted electricity and also to improve the quality of the electricity supplied to the industries.

They also complained that they are having difficulty in labor management when electricity supply is stopped in industries without prior notice.

The statement issued by the confederation mentions that the private sector industries are reeling under the impacts of high interest rates of banks, problems related to raw materials, and the global economic recession.

The CNI argued that the private sector industries will be destroyed if the NEA increases electricity tariff during such difficult times.