In Brief:

• Nationwide signature campaign launched to press government on electricity sector reforms
• Party demands removal of VAT on electricity and recovery of large outstanding dues
• Chair Kulman Ghising says taxes add burden on ordinary consumers
• Campaign aims to make electricity cheaper, accessible and widely used

RAMECHHAP, AUGUST 23 The Ujyalo Nepal Party has launched a nationwide signature campaign demanding that the government remove VAT on electricity and recover outstanding dues from dedicated and trunk-line users. The party says the campaign is aimed at putting pressure on the government to address what it describes as two key issues in the electricity sector, reducing the tax burden on consumers and ensuring large outstanding bills are collected. Speaking at a press conference in Manthali on Sunday, party chair Kulman Ghising accused the government of adding to the financial burden on ordinary people by imposing additional taxes on electricity, a basic service. Ghising said the government should instead encourage electricity consumption as power generation continues to increase. He called for electricity to be made cheaper and more accessible so that its use can expand in industries, agriculture, transport and households. He also demanded the immediate recovery of outstanding dues from users of dedicated and trunk lines. 'Electricity bills are collected regularly from ordinary consumers, but delays in recovering large outstanding amounts should end,' Ghising said. The party said it is collecting signatures across the country to build pressure on the government to remove VAT imposed on electricity and recover the outstanding dedicated and trunk-line dues. It plans to submit the collected signatures to the government after the campaign and press for action on its demands.