Urja Khabar
KATHMANDU; Five trade unions of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) have urged the authority’s Board of Directors to take immediate steps to recover billions of rupees in outstanding electricity dues related to dedicated and trunk lines as well as street lighting.
Issuing an 11-point demand, the unions have called on the NEA management to address their concerns no later than the authority’s 41st anniversary program scheduled for August 17 at the NEA premises. They have also drawn the board’s attention to what they describe as a coordinated attempt from various quarters to weaken and undermine the authority as a public institution.
The Urjashil Karmachari Sangh, Karmachari Kalyan Parishad, Karmachari Union, Rastriya Karmachari Union and Karmachari Sangh jointly issued the statement, urging the NEA Board to act on their demands by Monday.
The unions said they have, since their establishment, remained committed to the development of hydropower, institutional strengthening of the NEA, effective and timely public service, and the professional rights, working conditions and welfare of employees.
They acknowledged that the NEA has established itself as a trusted public institution despite having gone through numerous challenges and ups and downs. However, they expressed serious concern over what they termed attempts by certain business interests to weaken the authority, divide its assets and operations, and ultimately push the institution toward financial and institutional distress.
“Although the Nepal Electricity Authority has succeeded in establishing itself as an institution trusted by the general public after overcoming various ups and downs, our serious attention has been drawn to the fact that some business families have been trying to divide the enterprise and take it toward bankruptcy with their vested interests,” the statement said.
The unions have emphasized that the recovery of long-pending electricity dues should be treated as a matter of institutional and national importance. They argued that allowing substantial amounts owed for dedicated and trunk lines and street lighting to remain unpaid could adversely affect the NEA’s financial health and its ability to continue investing in the country’s electricity infrastructure.
They have also called for greater vigilance against decisions and activities that could weaken the authority’s financial position, institutional autonomy and public-service mandate.
According to the unions, the NEA is not merely a commercial entity but a strategic institution directly linked to the country’s energy security and economic development. Its future, they said, is therefore closely connected with the future of the entire nation.
The five organizations have urged the NEA Board, management, employees, consumers and other stakeholders to stand together against challenges facing the authority and safeguard its institutional interests.
They have warned that any attempt to weaken the NEA at a time when Nepal is seeking to expand electricity generation, domestic consumption and cross-border power trade could have serious implications for the country’s broader energy ambitions.
The unions have therefore called for their 11-point demands to be addressed promptly and have sought concrete action from the NEA leadership ahead of the authority’s 41st anniversary.
The trade unions' demands include:
1) The tax imposed on the consumer class on electricity should be immediately abolished through the budget statement of the Government of Nepal.
2) A family member of the immortal electrician who sacrificed his life in the line of duty should be provided with employment as in the past.
3) The outstanding dues of billions of rupees for dedicated, trunk lines and street lighting should be recovered immediately.
4) Additional PPAs should be made on the basis of competition only after the market is ensured so that there is no energy spill.
5) The electrical equipment (wires, poles, transformers, meters) that are in short supply for quality electricity flow should be provided immediately.
6) The monthly wages of salaried employees should be included in the appointment process and social security fund.
7) Term life insurance for 52 months and increased house rent should be implemented.
8) The overtime standard, which is an extreme abuse of labor exploitation, should be removed immediately.
9) O&M should be reviewed in a timely manner and advertisements should be made immediately up to fourth assistant level.
10) Contract work should be stopped in some distribution centers within the valley, despite having adequate number of skilled manpower.
11) Anniversary allowance should be provided at least equal to one month's salary.
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