Govt supports poor electricity consumers to use 20 units for free

The government had decided to provide free electricity to the poor consumers. The customers who consume only 20 units or below per month will have to pay only a demand fee of Rs. 30. Earlier, the poor households who use 10 units per month was free of cost.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal mentioned at a press conference on Wednesday that the decision was taken by the Board of Directors of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). She added that the scheme would benefit at least 2 million impoverished households across the country.

A proposal has been sent to Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) for approval, Minister Bhushal informed. The tariff rate will be applicable from the day the commission decides, she added.

She said that the ministry has also decided to provide up to 80 per cent concession in the electricity used for irrigation in farmland. She said the scheme was introduced to help growth in the agriculture sector and make the country self-reliant on food grain and fruit production. Thus, 388,000 households will be benefited from the concession on electricity for shallow tube well, she added. Minister Bhushal also informed that the ministry is considering reduce the electricity tariff to Rs. 11 per unit with a view to encourage the use of electricity in cooking at the household level so that use of LP gas is reduced.