Kathmandu, July 21 -- Twenty factories operating across the country's industrial estates remain without electricity and water after failing to clear outstanding dues, despite a wider payment drive that has restored services to most defaulting industries.

Industrial Zone Management Ltd (IZML), the state-owned body that manages the country's industrial estates, disconnected electricity and water supplies to 167 factories across 10 industrial estates from June 18 over unpaid rent and service charges, including fees for land, buildings, water and electricity.

While services have since been restored to companies that settled their arrears, 20 factories remain cut off, IZML general manager Padam Oli said.

"The electricity and water connectio...