NEA urged to act swiftly on budget implementation

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 6: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has urged officials of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), including the acting managing director and deputy managing directors, to prepare a clear action plan and immediately begin implementing the budget effectively for the upcoming fiscal year.

During a discussion held at the NEA, Minister Shrestha stressed that projects and programmes included in the budget must be completed within the stipulated timeframe. 

He added that the Ministry would take necessary initiatives to resolve policy and administrative hurdles that may arise during implementation, but the responsibility for leadership of execution should lie with the authority’s own management.

Highlighting that the government has allocated a substantial budget prioritising the construction of transmission lines and substations for the coming fiscal year, the Minister said subordinate bodies should be mobilised with proper action plans to ensure timely completion of projects.

He urged NEA officials to make maximum use of their long experience, expertise and capabilities. He emphasised that management-level leadership should not only identify problems but also present concrete solutions.

“This time, the NEA has received the budget it demanded. Now, the responsibility lies with the authority to ensure effective implementation, improve service delivery, and guarantee quality and sustainable electricity supply,” he said.

The minister said that the authority should focus on result-oriented investment alongside its social responsibility, and reach clear conclusions on priority projects for the coming years.

During the discussion, Minister Shrestha also suggested that electricity tariff arrears collection should be treated as a regular work list of the authority.

He encouraged deputy managing director of NEA to confidently submit suggestions and proposals aimed at strengthening institutional governance, making performance result-oriented, and prioritising projects.

 “Rather than debating what happened in the past or why it did not happen, my focus is now on how to move forward,” the Minister said.

During the meeting, deputy managing directors presented progress reports on projects and programmes under their respective responsibilities, along with information on upcoming plans.

They also informed that detailed action plans to systematise budget implementation are being prepared and will be submitted to the Board of Directors by June 29, 2026.