Kathmandu. About Rs 42.5 crore rent arrears of the industrial area have been collected. Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Gauri Kumari Yadav, has cleared the arrears of Rs 425.4 million within two weeks.

Minister Yadav directed the Industrial Area Management Limited to immediately recover money from the industries and offices that have been reluctant to pay rent for a long time. The company has so far collected Rs 42.54 crore as arrears following the directive.

According to Padam Oli, General Manager of Industrial Area Management Limited. Some industries had not paid rent since 2045 BS. A few days ago, a public notice was issued to about 635 industries and offices to pay rent and most of them have cleared their dues.

Power to the rest of the industry was cut off

The company has taken strict action after Minister Yadav directed the industries not to pay the rent within the stipulated time to cut off the power lines. In the beginning, the power supply of more than 200 factories was disconnected. The line has been connected after paying the rent of these industries.

According to Oli, the power lines of 45 companies which are yet to pay the rent have been disconnected. Minister Yadav has given clear instructions not to connect the line until the dues of the industries are fully cleared.

Among the outstanding industries, Continental Components and Services Pvt Ltd have Rs 3.69 crore and Continental Services Pvt Ltd, another company owned by the same operator. About Rs 1 crore in rent is yet to be collected.

Currently, the process of disconnecting the power lines of both industries has been initiated. General Manager Oli said that despite reluctance to pay the rent and external pressure, the clear instructions of Minister Yadav have been able to clear the arrears in a short span of time.