Sindhulimadi, March 17 Nepal Electricity Authority Sindhuli office has launched a campaign to control theft and leakage of power in the district. As part of the campaign, NEA authorities have removed more than 25 unauthorised street lights installed in Baghmara and other places in Kamalamai Municipality. According to NEA office chief Yogendra Thakur, a team headed by an engineer has been deployed in Kamalakhoj area. “The team is monitoring Tandi in Dudhauli area now,” he said, adding that anyone involved in power pilferage would be subjected to action as per the law. Regarding the technical aspects of power leakage we are changing old and worn out transmitters and other equipment, he informed. Likewise, the office has also started disconnecting the lines of clients who have failed to clear the tariff for two months or more to discourage late payment of power bills. According to office data, the office has to collect arrears worth 29.7 million rupees from clients by mid-March. Thakur said government offices’ top the list of defaulters. “No matter how many times we call them, they never bother to pay,” lamented Thakur, presenting a figure of 23.7 million rupees that Kamalamai Municipality owes to the office for street lights. Regarding the issue, Kamalamai Municipality Chief Jagat Prasad Bhusal pointed out policy-related complexities. “It’s not only this municipality that hasn’t paid dues for street lights, but all municipalities in the country, and I think they are right in doing that as NEA office doesn’t pay any royalty to the municipalities for conducting their business in the municipal area,” he argued.