KATHMANDU, JAN 09 - Royal Nepalese Army has demanded Rs 560 million from Nepal Electricity Authority for providing security to powerhouses and sub-stations. The amount has been demanded to meet the additional human resource requirement for providing security for a year.
The demand comes during a time when NEA has already been facing a severe financial crunch. An NEA source said that the demand would entail hike in electricity charges. The source further said that the amount has been demanded to provide security to 20 electricity installations, including major infrastructures like Kali Gandaki, Marsyangdi, Trishuli and Kulekhani, among others.
Interestingly, RNA had earlier demanded Rs 530 million to secure 34 installations. NEA had formally expressed its inability to bear the costs and had suggested securing only 20 vital installations. "The suggestion was made to reduce costs. However, RNA further increased their financial demand," said the NEA source.
RNA has estimated a cost of Rs 2,87,000 per soldier for the first year, and Rs 90,000 per soldier per annum thereafter. According to RNA’s estimates, 1,980 soldiers would be necessary to secure the 20 vital installations at 56 different locations. The RNA’s proposal is being forwarded to NEA board."Last year, we bore Rs. 20 million as security expense," said the NEA source. "However, we are not in a position to bear even that amount now," the source further added. Payment in dollars to Khimti and Bhote Koshi has severely dented NEA’s finances. Last year alone, NEA bore a loss of Rs 650 million.In September 2003, government approved the ‘Security Task Plan’ that requires government institutions to provide security to vital installations at their own expense. Following the plan, NEA has already constructed necessary security infrastructure in major installations including Kali Gandaki, Trishuli and Kulekhani. Last year, NEA bore an average of Rs 500,000 per powerhouse by way of security expenses.Over three dozen powerhouses and sub-stations under NEA are devoid of security. Another two dozen sub-stations transmitting 132 KV electricity are also sans permanent security provisions.Posted on: 2004-01-10 03:13

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