Nepal’s government has taken a strong stance against industries operating within special economic zones (SEZs) that have failed to pay their pending rent.
Following the direction of Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Gauri Yadav, the process of collecting pending rent has been expedited. The government has instructed industries with pending rent to clear their dues within a week, warning that failure to do so will result in the disconnection of electricity and water services.
The SEZ Authority has made public the details of rent, service charges, and other dues owed by various industries operating within the SEZs, directing them to settle their pending payments immediately. Minister Yadav has also instructed that no excuses will be entertained for industries that have been using government property without paying rent for years.
According to the details made public by the Authority, some industries have been paying their rent regularly, while others have not paid for a long time. Some have paid partial amounts, while others have not paid the agreed-upon rent. The total pending rent owed by industries in the first list is Rs 1.77 crore 68 thousand 438, while those in the second list owe Rs 16 lakh 94 thousand 786. The total pending rent is approximately Rs 1.94 crore 63 thousand.
The Authority has already collected Rs 6 crore 14 lakh 58 thousand 259 from the first list and Rs 9 crore 95 lakh 92 thousand 492 from the second list, totaling over Rs 16 crore. Despite repeated written and verbal requests, the industries have failed to pay the pending rent, prompting the Authority to take legal action.
A final notice has been issued, and the industries have been warned that failure to pay the pending rent within the stipulated time will result in the disconnection of services, implementation of agreements, and further legal action if necessary. The SEZ Authority has announced plans to make regular monitoring more effective, prevent new pending payments from arising, and settle all pending payments through a campaign.
The government has also urged industries to clear their pending rent within the stipulated time to avoid further action.
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