Banking News – Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has directed Nepal Electricity Authority to systematize the electronic payment system for electricity tariffs. He stated that in the age of information technology, it is necessary to end the situation where citizens have to stand in line for hours at offices to pay bills. Minister Shrestha, informing that the plan to effectively expand “Digital Payment” has been approved by the Nepal Electricity Authority’s Board of Directors, emphasized effective implementation down to the grassroots level.

Speaking at a discussion with the heads of electricity division offices in Hetauda, he said:

“Digital payment must be expanded further. This will save citizens’ time, reduce costs, and make employee management easier for us as well. Therefore, digital payment must be advanced as a campaign.”

He stated that although the graph of electronic payment has increased, it is not satisfactory, and citizens are still forced to stand in line. “When it started, its percentage increased rapidly. But last year it did not increase by more than one percent. This is a serious matter,” said Minister Shrestha. “In the age of information technology, if citizens have to stand in line to pay money, then I see that public awareness needs to be further enhanced from the Authority’s side as well.”

Noting that controlling electricity leakage and protecting electricity infrastructure is everyone’s equal responsibility, Minister Shrestha directed division heads to not only reconstruct poles but also carry out maintenance and patrolling of poles. He also directed division office heads to fulfill their responsibilities by making good governance and administrative reform the core mantra in places of decision-making.