KATHMANDU, July 30: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has made an inaccurate claim regarding a reduction in electricity tariffs for irrigation. On Wednesday, he shared a post on Facebook stating that electricity for irrigation is being provided at Rs 3 per unit, including a photo suggesting the tariff had been lowered.
However, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has long maintained a tariff of Rs 2.25 to Rs 3 per unit for irrigation purposes. These rates are part of the existing NEA tariff structure and are not the result of a recent reduction.
Damage to irrigation amounts to Rs 2.42 billion
According to NEA, the standard rate for irrigation at lower voltage levels (230/400 volts) is Rs 2.25 per unit. Under the Time-of-Day (ToD) metering system for 33 kV irrigation lines, the rate is Rs 2 per unit during off-peak hours (11 pm to 5 am), Rs 3 per unit during normal hours (5 am to 5 pm), and Rs 6.30 per unit during peak hours (5 pm to 11 pm).
Although rates are higher during peak hours, the overall irrigation tariff ranges between Rs 2 and Rs 3 per unit—rates that have long been in place. The Prime Minister’s portrayal of a new tariff reduction is being viewed as a misleading publicity move.
