Take action against industries involved in power theft: PMO

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has written to the Ministry of Energy to take action eight industries and businesses involved in power theft on a massive scale.

This daily has obtained a copy of a ‘very urgent’ communication from the PMO that has reads, “In response to a report titled ‘NEA staff involved in meter tampering’, published on the September 28 edition of The Himalayan Times, the Prime Minister’s Office directs the Energy Ministry to take action against those involved in stealing electricity and forward the details of action within seven days.” The letter bears the signature of PMO Joint- secretary Shanker Prasad Adhikari.

In course of inspection of industries and businesses in Gorkha, Nawalparasi, Chitwan, Bara and Parsa districts, a team from the Nepal Electricity Authority had found that 20 out of 45 scrutinised meters had been tampered with to show readings way below the actual consumption.

“So perfectly were the softwares installed that the meters would read the electricity consumption by less than 30 per cent,” the THT report had quoted Dipendra Nath Sharma, the NEA managing director.

“ We have directed the offices concerned to prepare bills and send them to those who have stolen power by creating systematic errors in the meters,” said Sharma. He was referring to Triveni Mills, KP Cement, Nirapus Plastic Industry, Safari Adventure Lodge, Simran Crusher Industry, Koshi Gas Industry, Ghimire Furniture and Popular Rice Mill, which were found involved in meter tampering.

“Those involved in power theft will be brought to book after a thorough investigation,” said Sharma, without denying the involvement of engineers and technicians from his own office in meter tampering.