RAMECHHAP: Ramechhap locals have to walk for two days to pay their electricity bills.

As Nepal Electricity Authority has yet to manage their counters in the area, consumers from remote areas of the district are compelled to walk such a long distance.

Local folks usually pay Rs 80, which is the monthly minimum amount, after two days of walking to the NEA office in Ramechhap headquarters Manthali.

Service seekers from Doramba, Daduwa Khandadevi and Majuwa, among other VDCs, are compelled to reach Manthali counter to pay the bills.

Shyam Lama of Doramba VDC, who reached Manthali yesterday, said he came to pay the electricity bills after walking for two days. “We have no other option but to walk as there is no transportation facility in the village,” he said.

Lama said he had to spend more than Rs 1,000 in order to pay a power bill of Rs 80.

“We have to spend more than Rs 1,500, including two-way fare, if people go by bus,” he added.

The consumers said they were compelled to stay in hotels if they failed to pay the bill on the same day that they arrived in Manthali to pay bills.

“Sometimes, the counter is closed before the customers reach there and they have no option but to stay at a hotel overnight to pay the bill the next day,” said Urgen Lama of Daduda VDC.