Gyanendra and his relatives' electricity dues reach Rs 36 mln

Kathmandu, July 21 (UNI) Suspended King Gyanendra and his relatives have not paid electricity bills worth Rs 36 million , media reports said.

King Gyanendra and his relatives continued to default the electricity bills of Nepal Electricity Authority since he took over power in a bloodless coup in February 2005, Kantipur quoted an official as saying.

"Topping the list of defaulters of electricity bills as of June 14 is the Narayanhiti palace with a whopping Rs 26.37 million in electricity dues, which is followed by Nirmal Niwas, the residence of Prince Paras, with Rs 2.73 million" Kantipur said.

Royal relatives with hefty unpaid electricity bills include Gyanendra's youngest brother Dhirendra Shah's three daughters, with nearly Rs 2 million.

Other defaulting the electricity bills are almost all the close relatives of Gyanendra.

The King has been suspended and the future of the monarchy, which has ruled the Himalayan nation for nearly 238 years, will be decided by the election of the constituent assembly.

UNI