Meghalaya Facing Acute Power Crisis

Meghalaya Facing Acute Power Crisis

A Reporter

SHILLONG: Meghalaya, a power-surplus State a few decades ago, is currently facing severe power crisis with daily load-shedding and the State Power Corporation Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) is in serious financial trouble.

It may be mentioned that earlier, Meghalaya used to supply power to Assam and other neighbouring States. Now different parts of the State face load-shedding for at least one hour during daytime and about three to four hours at night.

Speaking to reporters at his office chamber on Friday, State Minister for Power James K Sangma said, “The Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited owes over Rs 600 crore to the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO). In the absence of payment of the dues, NEEPCO has regulated power supply to the State.”

While admitting that its difficult for the State Government to bail out the MeECL in this regard, he said, “The reason for this is that the government is also facing financial problems and till the time NEEPCO continues to regulate power supply, load-shedding will carry on in the State.”

The minister also said that the government is trying its level best to rectify the problem. “The dues of MeECL to NEEPCO has accumulated for a long period of time and repayment is very difficult because MeECL will not be able to pay the large amount of outstanding dues touching around Rs 600 crores,” he said.

He however informed that the State Government is in discussion with both MeECL and NEEPCO and hopefully will be able to work out something soon with an aim to reduce the amount of load-shedding in the State.

Also read: Meghalaya news

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