KATHMANDU: Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) President Chandra Prasad Dhakal has announced that industries whose power lines were disconnected due to disputes over premium charges on dedicated feeders and trunk lines will have their electricity restored immediately after depositing a security amount.

In a Facebook post, Dhakal stated that industrial consumers can have their disconnected power lines reconnected as soon as they deposit an amount equivalent to one installment — based on the 28-installment facility previously granted by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

“According to this proposal, industries will get their disconnected power lines reconnected immediately after depositing an amount equal to one installment as a security, in line with the earlier 28-installment arrangement. They will also have the opportunity to seek review and legal remedies regarding the disputed amount,” Dhakal wrote.

He described the plan as a moderate and balanced proposal, which emerged from a high-level meeting attended by Prime Minister Sushila Karki, Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal, Energy Minister Kulman Ghising, Industry, Commerce and Supplies Minister Anil Sinha, Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal, and other ministry secretaries.

Dhakal further said that along with the deposit arrangement, industries will have the right to challenge or review the disputed premium amount through legal or administrative processes.

He added that this move would resume electricity supply to the affected industries, allowing them to operate normally again.

The decision, Dhakal said, will also help strengthen mutual trust and cooperation between the private sector and the government.