Rajbiraj, January 23

The Nepal Electricity Authority Rajbiraj Distribution Centre in Saptari has disconnected  power supply to as many as 386 customers for not paying their tariff for the past six months in the district.

Of them, power supply to153 customers was resumed after they cleared their dues, which were collectively worth Rs 6.6 million.

According to Chief of the NEA Rajbiraj Distribution Centre Ram Udgar Sah, the office is yet to collect the rest of the dues amounting to Rs 263 million.

Power supply to customers who have not cleared their dues of more than two months has been disconnected, according to Sah.

Of the total dues, Rajbiraj Municipality alone is yet to clear Rs 61 million tariff for street lights to the authority. The NEA Rajbiraj office has taken action against as many as 700 customers for illegally siphoning off electricity during the six-month period.

“Fine starting from Rs 5,000 has been slapped on each person held for electricity theft, and additional charge has been imposed in case any electric tolls are seized from them. The office has been able to collect Rs 4.6 million revenue from this fine,” said Sah.