Udayapur, July 16

Intermittent disruption of electricity supply has adversely affected the operation of Udayapur Cement Industry Ltd in Udayapur.

General Manager Surendra Paudel of the factory said, “The factory is incurring hefty loss unable to produce cement as per the target due to frequent power cuts.”

Assistant General Manager Mahesh Kafle said it had been able to meet just 25 per cent of its production target. The factory was established 30 years ago.

Kafle said during the time of its establishment, an agreement had been signed with Nepal Electricity Authority regarding 24-hour power supply to the factory. Kafle accused the NEA of failing to abide by the understanding.

The factory produces just 600 metric tonnes cement a day  although it has capacity to produce 8,000 metric tonnes cement on a daily basis. It pays electricity bills to NEA ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 30.5 million every month.

GM Paudel said repeated plea to the NEA management to solve the problem had fallen on deaf ears.