January 6: While the increasing problem of power cuts in different parts of the country has given a glimpse of load shedding, the import of generators used as an alternative to electricity has also skyrocketed.

According to the data released by the Department of Customs, the import of generators has increased by 350 percent in the first five months of the current fiscal year as compared to the previous year.

In the first five months of the current fiscal year, a total of 707 units of generators have been imported into the country. Last year, only 154 units of generators were imported.

During this period, the import of battery has also increased by 77 percent. However, the import of inverters seems to have declined. According to the department, the import of inverters had come down from 56 units to 50 units last year, but only 29 units have been imported this year.

Director General of the Department, Suman Dahal, confirmed that the import of generators has increased. He said, "Whether it is due to rumors of load shedding or other reasons, the import of generators has increased compared to last year."

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has issued a statement twice saying that there will be no load shedding as the public started doubting if there would be load shedding like before.

Last week, the NEA had issued a statement informing that there will be power cuts in some places of Lalitpur to reduce power load. However, it issued another statement later saying that power cuts due to technical problems, repair works and due to the winter season is a normal phenomena while there isn’t any plan for load shedding.