The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has, since Friday night, terminated power supply to an additional 18 industries for failing to clear their dues for the dedicated and trunk line services. Prior to this, the NEA had cut off power supply to six other industries.

According to NEA spokesperson Rajan Dhakal, Panchakanya Steel Industries, Shyam Plastic Industries, Goenka Foods (Rupandehi) Ltd, Cosmos Cement Industries, SR Steel Industries, Panchakanya Plastic Industries, Bhalwari Automatic Factory, Bishal Cement Industries Ltd, Jagdamba Synthetic Textiles Ltd, Everest Rolling Mill, Gharana Foods, Butwal Cement Company Ltd, Nigale Cement Ltd, Siddhartha PET Plast (Pvt) Ltd, Himal Iron and Steel Industries, Tribeni Synthetic Yarn Industries, and Sona Minerals and Oils (Pvt) Ltd have now lost access to NEA services.

Earlier, power supply had been cut off to Jagadamba Steel, Reliance Spinning Mills, Shivam Cement, Ghorahi Cement, Arghakhanchi Cement, and Tribeni Spinning Mills.

The total outstanding dues of these industries exceed Rs 8 billion. Some of the companies have started clearing their dues in installments, while others have initiated legal proceedings, Dhakal said. He added that some industries have claimed they did not use dedicated or trunk lines.

The NEA had issued a public notice on September 28, instructing the industries to pay their dues within 21 days. The power supply disruption was carried out in accordance with the Electricity Tariff Collection Rules, 2078 BS, it was stated.