Where 24-hour electricity costs Rs 60 per month

BAJHANG:

At a time when city dwellers have to face up to 18 hours load shedding a day, the residents of remote Pauwagadi VDC enjoy twenty-four hour power supply at just Rs 60 per month.

A total of 240 households from wards 3, 7 and 8 use electricity generated from local Jaradigad Micro-Hydro Project at Rs 60 every month.

The locals are elated to get energy at such a low cost.

Malati Devi Khati, a local, said, “We used to burn pine lamps earlier, but we have been able to use electricity without any disruption. Hence, we are pleased. We don’t have load shedding except in exceptional cases, and the power house has been built nearby,” she added.

The hydro project generates with 21 kw electricity and only 13 kw is consumed in the locality.

Lalit Bahadur Khatri, project management committee secretary, said they were distributing power at a nominal cost as production was higher than demand. “We collect Rs 16,000 from the customer and the operation cost is Rs 8,000. So, the project is running at a profit,” said Khatri.

With the availability of electricity in the locality, many women have established small scale industries along with shops selling electric goods.

Source: THT