KATHMANDU, Aug 31: The government is not implementing its decision shortly to hike electricity tariff for industries.

Energy Minister Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, during his meeting with officials of the Confederation of Nepali Industries (CNI) at his office today, assured them that electricity tariff for the industrial sector would not be increased immediately. He took the time to insist on the acceleration of power production, urging the private sector to invest in hydropower sector and cooperate with the government in its activities.

During the meeting, the CNI delegation apprised the Minister that as they believed, a hike in electricity tariff would push industries to a crisis, requesting him not to implement the decision.

They demanded a guarantee of uninterrupted power supply to the industrial area.

Earlier, the Nepal Electricity Authority has proposed the government for increasing electricity charge by 66 per cent for the industrial sector. Industries would suffer badly if the proposal was materialised, they added.

CNI President Haribhakta Sharma said the government Ujjyalo Nepal Campaign has brought a great respite for them and they were ready to invest in the hydropower sector as well. RSS

KATHMANDU, Aug 30: Energy Minister Mahendra Bahadur Shahi has urged the contractors of Upper Karnali and Budigandki hydropower projects to start their works as immediately as possible.

“The issues that were obstructing the projects have already been settled,” added Shahi while speaking at an interaction program organized by the Reporters’ Club Nepal on Wednesday.

He also warned that the government will cancel their license if they did not start their work within 35 days.

“I have already directed the concerned contractors to submit their monthly work progress report,” he added.

It may be noted that the contract of Upper Karnali was awarded to India’s GMR while Budigankadi Project is being constructed by whereas China’s Gezhouba Group.

Stating that there were several hydropower projects running in Nepal, he added Nepal will not have to import electricity from India very soon if these projects are moved ahead suitably. “But first Nepal has to control the electricity leakage, which is recorded 22 percent at current, to become independent in power sector.”

On the occasion, Minister Shahi also urged organizations, government offices and individuals to pay outstanding bills of electricity within 10 days.

“If payment is not done within the given deadline, the ministry will take strict action,” warned Minister Shahi adding, “We will cut power if they fail to meet the deadline. I have already directed our officers for that.”

HETAUDA, Aug 5: Energy Minister Mahendra Bahadur Shahi has said that the government was seeking support from the industrialists to end the existing power cuts in the industrial estate. 

KATHMANDU, August 2: Energy Minister Mahendra Bahadur Shahi has said that the government would take ‘special’ initiatives to provide electricity to the rural areas of the country that still lack the basic facility.

Claiming that approximately 35 percent of various parts of the country is still out of reach of electricity, he said, the government has prioritized as such areas to supply with electricity.

The minister shared this information during a meeting with a delegation of political party from Salyan, who met with him at Singha Durbar on Tuesday and submitted a memorandum.

Responding to the delegation, Minister Shahi said “I do not have any other agenda except that for people’s service. I will be committed to expanding electricity and I need support from all to this effect.”

The delegates also demanded that efforts be taken at the earliest to set up the office for Sharadha Babai Electricity Resovior Project in Salyan, said a delegate member former lawmaker Uma Kanta Sharma.

The attention of Minister Shahi was also drawn to connecting transmission line from local level to the district headquarters, he said. RSS