Kathmandu, Oct. 8 -- displaced people in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts say they are still receiving electricity bills with VAT and penalties.

The Bhotekoshi flood on August 26 swept away homes, businesses, and farmland along the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river corridor in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading. Hundreds were swept away in the disaster and thousands of people have been displaced.

Many of those forced to leave their homes and take shelter elsewhere have since received electricity bills carrying VAT and penalties from the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the state-owned power utility.

"Thank you, government! We have had no place to live since August 26, but our electricity bill for Bhadra (August 17- September 16) has increased...