Minister Ghising Defends Power Cuts to Big Industries Over Unpaid Premium Fees

Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister Kulman Ghising has clarified that cutting off electricity lines to large industries failing to pay premium charges for dedicated and trunk lines is a lawful action.

Ghising said that although these industries had been paying regular electricity bills, they had repeatedly ignored premium fee payments that were introduced when load-shedding exemptions were granted to them years ago. As a result, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) was compelled to disconnect their lines.

He explained that this decision was not new, adding that past efforts to recover dues had been obstructed due to political interference. “On the very day I wrote to the Electricity Regulatory Commission on Chaitra 11, 2081, seeking approval to recover the dues, I was removed from my post,” Ghising recalled, noting that his honest attempt to enforce regulations had cost him his position.

Ghising also warned against attempts to manipulate public sentiment in favor of defaulters through media campaigns and social platforms. He stressed that failure to pay legitimate dues could set a dangerous precedent, encouraging tax evasion and undermining state governance in the long run.