This has forced the factory to use a 3.5KVA diesel generator for generating electricity, which has increased its operating costs. The government has allocated Rs 1.23 billion for construction of access road, electricity transmission lines and substations for 14 cement factories, including Rolpa. Of Rs 390 million allocated for access road, Rs 50 million is supposed to go for the road for Rolpa this fiscal.

The factory, located at Budagaun, Rolpa, around 100km north of the East-West highway, has been demanding the government to supply electricity from the central power grid.

But the government’s apathy has made the factory operation difficult, the management said.

The factory has production capacity of 500 tonnes of clinker and 200 tonnes of cement per day and can offer direct employment opportunity to 200 individuals. However, the factory has not been able to operate in full capacity, thus employing less people.

The use of diesel for power generation has made the products expensive and less producting in the market. “Expensive electricity has made our products costlier,” said Bindu Sagar Shakya, general manager - constructions. The factory uses 8-10,000 litres of diesel a day. A 33KVA transmission line is needed to supply power to the factory from Tulsipur, Dang. However, the transmission line project has not moved ahead.

Rolpa Cement Industry President Bharat Kunwar said they were facing difficulties in operation as the government has not given the facilities and subsidies pledged to the industries in remote areas.

He said the factory can operate in full capacity if the government provides subsidy and facilities as per the industrial policy. “Though we have established a large industry in a remote place like Rolpa, we have not become able to get government facilities,” said Kunwar.

The industrial policy 2010 has identified Rolpa as the least developed area and announced a 90 percent income tax waiver for 10 years, among other facilities. The industry requires a 38km road to get connected to the highway, of which the Tulsipur-Kupurkot section has been already blacktopped. Around 17km from Kupurkot to the factory is yet to be developed.

“Since the road is too narrow, it is very difficult for trucks to ply. It is also difficult to maintain two-way traffic,” said Dinesh Dangi, director of the factory. Dangi demanded the government address the woes of factories in remote

areas which are facing unfair competition in the market due to the lack of basic infrastructure.