Power Restored: Panchakanya Industries Pay First Installment of Dedicated Line Dues
Panchakanya Dues Protest Payment
4th November 2025, Kathmandu
The dispute between the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and industrial users over dedicated and trunk line premium tariffs has taken a complex turn.
Panchakanya Dues Protest Payment
Two major industries under the Panchakanya Group, located in Bhairahawa, have paid the first installment of the contested premium electricity dues.
Panchakanya Plastic Industry and Panchakanya Steel Industries officially deposited the first tranche of the outstanding amount with the NEA. Crucially, the payment was made under protest.
This significant action, while clearing the immediate hurdle of disconnection, firmly establishes the Panchakanya Dues Protest Payment as a tactical move to resume business operations while continuing the legal challenge.
Details of the Initial Payment and Power Restoration
Following the submission of the initial payment, the NEA promptly reconnected the electricity supply to both factories. Devendra Sahu, General Manager of the Panchakanya Group, provided specific figures for the first installment:
- Panchakanya Plastic Industry: Paid Rs 77,975 as the first installment.
- Panchakanya Steel Industries: Paid Rs 186,405 as the first installment.
The immediate restoration of the power line was confirmed by the NEA, allowing the two vital industries to restart production after a period of enforced shutdown.
Strategic Decision to Pursue Legal and Operational Balance
Despite making the payment, the Panchakanya Group maintains its official position that it does not concede to having used the electricity via the trunk line as claimed by the NEA.
General Manager Sahu clearly articulated the group’s strategic rationale for the payment: the decision enables the group to continue the judicial process while simultaneously operating the industry.
“We filed a complaint with the Electricity Regulatory Commission on Friday, which must give a verdict within 90 days. If the verdict is satisfactory, fine; otherwise, we have the option of going to court,” Sahu explained. He emphasized that the group simply could not afford to keep the industries closed for the entire 90-day period.
Commitment to Employees and National Projects
The urgency to restart operations was largely driven by two significant factors: employee welfare and commitment to national projects. The group had temporarily laid off approximately 1,200 employees and laborers due to the power disconnection.
Although workers were still receiving salaries during the leave period, Sahu stated that sustaining such a financial burden while the factory remained idle was economically unsustainable. Furthermore, employees requested a return to work, feeling uneasy about accepting pay without production.
Sahu stressed the company’s responsibility to its workforce and to the nation. “We have deadlines to deliver materials ordered for national pride projects. It is our duty to fulfill those orders on time,” he said.
The group’s stance is clear: “We are here to run the industry, not to stage a strike.” The Panchakanya Dues Protest Payment therefore represents a compromise that allows for legal battle to continue while fulfilling economic and social obligations. This strategic move ensures that the Panchakanya Dues Protest Payment supports continuous employment and business delivery.
For more: Panchakanya Dues Protest Payment
