73% Still Queue at Electricity Counters as Minister Pushes Digital Payments

A large majority of electricity consumers in Nepal continue to rely on physical counters for bill payments despite the growing availability of digital services. According to Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, around 73% of consumers still visit payment counters to settle their electricity bills. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) currently operates 655 revenue collection counters through branches under its 129 distribution centers. The operation of these counters costs approximately Rs 59.79 crore annually. Minister Shrestha has urged consumers to shift to digital payment methods, saying online payments can save their time and transportation costs while reducing cash transactions and improving financial transparency and security. He further said that reducing dependence on physical counters would allow the resources and manpower currently involved in bill collection to be utilized for other essential customer services. Shrestha also appealed to citizens to help their family members, relatives, neighbors and others who are unfamiliar with digital payment systems learn and adopt online electricity bill payment methods.