Province-1 Businessmen Urge NEA to Solve Power Problems

 Kathmandu, Jan. 13

Three business organisations active in Province 1 have drawn the attention of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) on the continuous disturbance in the electricity supply seen recently.

Chambers of Industries Morant (CIM), Morang Merchants Association (MMA) and Province 1 chapter of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) have issued a joint statement on Friday to draw the attention of the state power monopoly regarding the interruption in the regular electricity supply.

“Due to the unstable and chaotic environment in the past, lax economy and existing problems in the financial sector, the affected industries have reached a last stage due to the daily tripping of 10 to 15 times and cut in power supply for 7 to 8 hours a day,” read the statement.

The statement is signed by the presidents of CNI, Province 1, MMA and CIM – Bhim Ghimire, Nabin Rijal and Suyesh Pyakurel respectively.

The private sector which is agitating for the solution of the existing problems in the banking and financial sector, is optimistic with the formation of the new government that there will be a positive initiative to solve the problem.

But the electricity problem has been created topping up the financial sector crisis and other challenges making doing business more difficult.

“While the situation has become unpredictable, the concerned agencies are largely indifferent in solving the problems, and the operation of the industrial sector has reached a state of trusting God,” said the business associations.

“Therefore, we demand to solve the problem of unannounced power cuts and tripping in the industrial business sector immediately,” read the statement.

Meanwhile, stating that there are signs of improvement in the liquidity in the financial sector, they requested the government to prepare a predictable industrial policy and a predictable industry-friendly environment in all sectors of finance and energy for the private sector in order to promote business in the long run. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 14 January 2022.