August 12: The government has decided not to levy electricity tariff on poor consumers for consuming up to 20 units of electricity per month. Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal informed the decision at a press conference on Wednesday (August 11). When Bhusal took charge of the ministerial portfolio, she had announced that no charge would be levied on poor consumers consuming up to 20 units of electricity. Shortly afterward, the declaration is in the process of implementation.

The Board of Directors of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has agreed not to charge the poor consumers as per the decision of the ministry. The tariff has also been proposed to the Electricity Regulatory Commission. After the approval from the commission, the target group customers will get up to 20 units of electricity free of cost every month. However, they will have to pay the demand fee. Minister Bhusal said that they would have to pay a monthly demand fee of Rs 30. Currently, customers consuming up to 10 units of electricity have been getting such facilities.

Minister Bhusal said that the decision aims to provide relief to the deprived families. It is estimated that about 2.5 million underprivileged families will receive relief from the decision.

The government is preparing to provide a 50 percent discount to farmers using surface water lift technology in agriculture when there is high demand and 80 percent at other times, which will help in the promotion of cash crops. Giving electricity tariff exemption will cost around Rs 700 million monthly, which will be borne by the NEA.

The government is also planning to increase the use of electric vehicles, reduce electricity tariff and build 50 charging stations within this year, said Minister Bhusal.