Character, Accountability, and the NEA Billing Dispute: Lessons in Integrity for Nepal’s Businesses

Character is who you are when no one is looking. Genuine integrity is demonstrated in moments when your actions and decisions reveal your most authentic self, and your commitment to values of integrity and self-accountability. The NEA bill dispute between government and private industries is case in point where both entities have done little over the years to hold a reputation strong enough to give the issue clarity and closure. 

While industrialists argue that the billing lacks legal authority and proper documentation with NEA failing to provide ToD meter data as proof of consumption, the electricity authority has decided to take a strong stance against major defaulting industries to force payment. 

Public opinion remains divided, although a majority argue that while homes failing to comply in paying their bills face power cuts and fines, why should businesses be any different. 

Questions are also being raised at NEA which allowed power supply for so many years without tackling the issue. They point to lack of accountability within NEA while businesses buy political favours to suppress having to pay. 

Under pressure from FNCCI and other commercial entities that say that disconnection of electric supply is severely impacting the already fragile industrial sector causing huge production losses and threatening over 15,000 jobs, the NEA is again coming to some kind of arrangement wherein part installment of overdue payment will restore connection. 

My question here is: Are we, as a country, always going to function meeting issues mid-way? Why are we driven on major issues by threat and inconclusive decisions? As it stands, the issue remains unresolved which means that it is open to influence, interception and abuse as governments change hands. The threat of loss of jobs being purported by industries and the current decision of NEA are not desirable or progressive outcomes as they do not stand for accountability, transparency or ethical governance.

The instances of ethical lapse in the country are many and we are bound by a character of flaws when we seek solutions. Public anger and angst should never be taken for granted by government or by businesses. If our ideas and action do not align with our purpose of eliminating corruption, then it’s best we not talk about accountability and integrity at all. 

Not everything can be bought; reputation - most certainly not.