A recent power procurement decision by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has sparked public debate over transparency, institutional decision-making, and accountability in state-owned enterprises.

According to publicly available information, NEA had initially received a power import proposal from India’s Power Trading Corporation (PTC) at INR 6.74 per unit. However, following a leadership change, a new agreement was reportedly signed at a higher rate of INR 6.95 per unit for 180 megawatts of electricity.

Although the price difference appears marginal, analysts note that when transmission losses and wheeling charges are included, the higher tariff could translate into tens of millions of rupees in additional costs.

The issue gained renewed attention after a former NEA director, Hitrendra Dev Shakya, was reinstated by court order and questioned the higher-priced agreement. Subsequently, an alternative proposal offering electricity at INR 6.60 per unit reportedly emerged, further intensifying scrutiny of the earlier decision.

Nepal’s anti-corruption watchdog has since initiated a preliminary review, and reports suggest that the disputed agreement may be canceled. Authorities have yet to determine whether any wrongdoing occurred.

The case highlights broader concerns about governance standards in public utilities, particularly during periods of political transition. It also underscores the role of investigative journalism in bringing complex procurement issues into the public domain.